Weapon of Choice: How Neighborhood Factors affect Gun, Knife, and Other Weapon Use in Violent Crimes in Los Angeles, CA, USA

• In Event: WG-PLACE 3: Research on crime, place and time

Abstract

Violent crime generally and gun violence specifically is concentrated in neighborhoods characterized by high rates of disadvantage and inequality. Less is known about the types of places where other forms of weapon-involved, such as knife crimes, occur. Existing research on knifings largely examines individual level correlates like age, gender, and adverse childhood experiences. Some studies suggest, however, that residential stability, youth presence, and the immigrant population may also shape patterns of different types of weapon use in neighborhoods. The current study explores how neighborhood context influences gun, knife, and other weapon use drawing on data from Los Angeles, CA, USA. Our findings indicate that neighborhood characteristics differentially influence gun, knife, and other weapon use, particularly racial/ethnic composition and aspects of residential stability. We also find notable differences in how neighborhood context affects weapon use across homicides, robberies, and assaults.

Authors

• Lyndsay N Boggess, University of South Florida

• Alyssa Chamberlain, Arizona State University

• Nicole Heber, Arizona State University

• Lexi Gill, University of Tampa