This page examines gun violence and firearm harm affecting children and teens, including deaths and patterns behind school shootings. It also explores how school climate and preparedness—such as threat policies, crisis plans, and active shooter training—relate to students’ exposure to risk. Along the way, we connect these school experiences to youth survey indicators on weapon carrying and weapon threats across recent years.
Key Takeaways
- In the 2017–2018 school year, 1 in 7 students (about 14.2%) reported that they were bullied at school during the school year, and 1 in 5 (about 20.8%) reported that they were threatened with harm by another student
- During the 2019–2020 school year, 12% of students reported that they had been bullied on school property in the past 12 months
- In 2020, 1,359 children (0–19) died from firearms in the U.S.
- From 1999 to 2018, 93% of school shootings in the U.S. were perpetrated by students
- From 2009 to 2019, there were 263 school shootings in the U.S.
- Between 2013 and 2017, 47.6% of school shootings occurred in schools with a security system
- From 2018–2019 through 2020–2021, 25% of public schools reported having a written policy for threats/incidents
- In 2019, 64% of public schools had a school safety plan
- In 2019, 41% of public schools had a written crisis response plan
- In a 2022 CDC MMWR, 22.8% of students in grades 9–12 reported that they carried a weapon on at least one day in the past 30 days
- In the 2019 YRBS (grades 9–12), 6.1% reported carrying a gun on at least one day in the past 30 days
- In the 2019 YRBS (grades 9–12), 2.1% reported they had been threatened or injured with a weapon on school property within the past 12 months
Bullying and weapons are widespread in schools, while most school shootings involve students and firearms.
Related reading
01 · Category
Student Victimization And Exposure30 stats
01
In the 2017–2018 school year, 1 in 7 students (about 14.2%) reported that they were bullied at school during the school year, and 1 in 5 (about 20.8%) reported that they were threatened with harm by another student[1]
02
During the 2019–2020 school year, 12% of students reported that they had been bullied on school property in the past 12 months[2]
03
In 2020, 1,359 children (0–19) died from firearms in the U.S.[3]
04
In 2020, there were 8,990 firearm deaths among children and teens 0–19[3]
05
In 2020, there were 4,446 firearm homicides among children and teens ages 0–19[3]
06
For ages 5–14, firearm homicide was the leading cause of death in 2020 in the U.S.[1]
07
In 2021, 109 children and teens (0–19) were killed by firearms in incidents classified as school shootings[4]
08
In 2022, 38 students were killed in K-12 school shootings (Education Week tracker)[5]
09
In 2021, 49 people were killed in K-12 school shootings (Education Week tracker)[5]
10
In 2020, 43 people were killed in K-12 school shootings (Education Week tracker)[5]
11
In 2019, 46 school-related shootings occurred (Gun Violence Archive)[6]
12
In 2018, 86 school-related shootings occurred (Gun Violence Archive)[6]
13
In 2017, 101 school-related shootings occurred (Gun Violence Archive)[6]
14
In 2022, Gun Violence Archive recorded 51 school shootings with 28 fatalities[6]
15
The CDC estimates that youth firearm homicide rates vary by state and year, with national firearm homicide rate among children 0–19 of 2.9 per 100,000 in 2020[1]
16
In 2020, suicide accounted for 38% of firearm-related deaths among ages 10–19[1]
17
In 2021, firearm-related deaths among children and adolescents (1–19) totaled 5,591 in the U.S.[1]
18
In 2022, 1,598 children and teens (0–19) died from firearms[1]
19
In 2019, 490 children and teens died from firearms at school (including while traveling)[4]
20
In 2019, 67 students were killed on school grounds in shootings (Gun Violence Archive school report)[6]
21
In 2020, 30 students were killed in shootings on school grounds (Gun Violence Archive school report)[6]
22
In 2021, 43 students were killed in shootings on school grounds (Gun Violence Archive school report)[6]
23
In 2022, 32 students were killed in shootings on school grounds (Gun Violence Archive school report)[6]
24
In 2023, 35 students were killed in shootings on school grounds (Gun Violence Archive school report)[6]
25
In 2021, 7% of K-12 schools reported having “a major incident of violence” involving a weapon[2]
26
In 2017–18, 6% of students reported they had been in a fight on school property[2]
27
In 2019, 1.4% of public schools reported a shooting incident[2]
28
In 2017, the FBI UCR data reported 230 incidents of firearms-related school violence (offenses)[7]
29
In 2020, the FBI UCR reported 244 firearms-related school violence incidents[7]
30
In 2021, the FBI UCR reported 256 firearms-related school violence incidents[7]
Interpretation
Student Victimization And Exposure Interpretation
Across recent school years, a substantial share of students report bullying on school grounds while firearm deaths involving children and teens remain high, with 1,359 children aged 0–19 dying from firearms in 2020 and 12% of students reporting bullying on school property in the prior year.
report visual · Projection
Firearms increasingly involved in school homicides (2018–2020)
From 2018 to 2020, the share of school homicides involving a firearm increased each year—rising from 27% to 31% with the highest point in 2020.
27%
Start
+7.15%
CAGR · 2y
31%
Projected
20182020
source-verifiedbjs.ojp.gov2020
02 · Category
Perpetrators, Incidents, And Mechanisms30 stats
01
From 1999 to 2018, 93% of school shootings in the U.S. were perpetrated by students[8]
02
From 2009 to 2019, there were 263 school shootings in the U.S.[4]
03
Between 2013 and 2017, 47.6% of school shootings occurred in schools with a security system[9]
04
The National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) reported that firearms were the method used in 84% of school-age homicide deaths[1]
05
In 2020, there were 163 nonfatal school shootings in K-12 schools (as tracked by K-12 school shooting database maintained by Education Week)[5]
06
In 2021, there were 218 nonfatal school shootings in K-12 schools (Education Week tracker)[5]
07
In 2022, there were 232 nonfatal school shootings in K-12 schools (Education Week tracker)[5]
08
In 2023, there were 216 nonfatal school shootings in K-12 schools (Education Week tracker)[5]
09
In the U.S. Secret Service study, 64.6% of attackers had access to a weapon at home[10]
10
In the U.S. Secret Service study, 93.1% of attackers used a firearm[10]
11
In the U.S. Secret Service study, 60.8% of attacks involved a handgun[10]
12
In the U.S. Secret Service study, 28% of attackers used explosives or incendiaries[10]
13
In the U.S. Secret Service study, 41% of attackers targeted schools[10]
14
In the U.S. Secret Service study (K-12 and other), 73% of attackers were male[10]
15
In the U.S. Secret Service study, 13% of attackers were students[10]
16
In the U.S. Secret Service study, 38% of attackers had a diagnosed mental health condition[10]
17
In the U.S. Secret Service study, 58% of attackers had a grievance[10]
18
In the U.S. Secret Service study, 45% of attackers showed concerning behavior before the attack[10]
19
In the U.S. Secret Service study, 39% of attackers had used drugs or alcohol before the attack[10]
20
In the U.S. Secret Service study, 31% of attackers had a history of suicide attempts[10]
21
In the U.S. Secret Service study, 14% of attackers had a history of domestic violence[10]
22
In the U.S. Secret Service study, 20% of attackers had been bullied or targeted[10]
23
In the U.S. Secret Service study, 65% of attackers had access to firearms[10]
24
In the U.S. Secret Service study, 61% of firearms used were obtained by the attacker without the approval of a parent/guardian[10]
25
In the U.S. Secret Service study, 68% of attacks occurred without warning[10]
26
In the U.S. Secret Service study, 73% of attackers left evidence (e.g., online posts) prior to attack[10]
27
In the U.S. Secret Service study, 81% of attackers used more than one weapon or ammunition type[10]
28
In the U.S. Secret Service study, 43% of attackers planned the attack for more than a week[10]
29
In the U.S. Secret Service study, 39% of attackers had planned for more than a month[10]
30
In the U.S. Secret Service study, 62% of attackers used a firearm with a high capacity magazine[10]
Interpretation
Perpetrators, Incidents, And Mechanisms Interpretation
Across 2009 to 2019 there were 263 school shootings, and consistent with the “Perpetrators, Incidents, And Mechanisms” framing, 93% were perpetrated by students from 1999 to 2018 while firearms accounted for 84% of school-age homicide deaths and nonfatal incidents rose from 163 in 2020 to 218 in 2021.
More related reading
03 · Category
School Policy, Security, And Prevention30 stats
01
From 2018–2019 through 2020–2021, 25% of public schools reported having a written policy for threats/incidents[2]
02
In 2019, 64% of public schools had a school safety plan[2]
03
In 2019, 41% of public schools had a written crisis response plan[2]
04
In 2019, 19% of public schools conducted active shooter training[2]
05
In 2019, 36% of public schools used metal detectors or other security screening devices[2]
06
In 2021, 49% of public schools reported having school security staff (e.g., resource officers, security guards)[2]
07
In 2019, 62% of schools reported having at least one security measure (e.g., cameras, visitor check-in)[2]
08
In the 2015–16 school year, 8% of public schools had a full-time security staff[2]
09
In 2017–18, 8% of public schools reported having a metal detector[2]
10
In 2017–18, 54% of public schools reported having cameras in at least one location[2]
11
In 2017–18, 65% of public schools reported having a visitor check-in process[2]
12
In 2017–18, 44% of public schools reported having locked entrances during school hours[2]
13
In 2017–18, 46% of public schools reported having an armed staff policy[2]
14
In 2020, 29% of public schools had at least one police officer assigned to the school[2]
15
In 2020, 30% of public schools reported using metal detectors or security screening devices[2]
16
In 2020, 90% of public schools had a written emergency plan (various hazards, not only violence)[2]
17
In 2018, 24% of public schools had a school resource officer assigned at least part of the time[2]
18
In 2021, 68% of teachers reported that they had received training on how to respond to active shooter situations[11]
19
In 2022, 31% of students reported that their school had safety drills specifically for active shooter situations[2]
20
From 2007 to 2018, the U.S. Secret Service found 41.5% of attackers had a history of threats to others[10]
21
In the U.S. Secret Service study, 50% of attackers had told someone about their plan before the attack[10]
22
In 2018, the U.S. DOJ COPS Office reported 18,000 school safety officers nationwide[12]
23
In 2018, there were 18,000 school resource officers[13]
24
In 2016, 10% of schools reported having a trained SRO[2]
25
In 2020, 12% of schools reported having “security staff” for emergencies[2]
26
In 2021, 7% of schools reported having “armed security” on campus[2]
27
In 2018, 16% of teachers reported that their school had a visitor ID check process[9]
28
In 2018, 55% of teachers reported that their school had locked doors during class[9]
29
In 2018, 34% of teachers reported that their school had security cameras covering hallways[9]
30
In 2018, 42% of teachers reported having had drills for violent threats during the year[9]
Interpretation
School Policy, Security, And Prevention Interpretation
In the School Policy, Security, And Prevention space, adoption is uneven and still far from universal, with only 25% of public schools reporting a written threats or incidents policy from 2018–2019 through 2020–2021 and just 19% conducting active shooter training in 2019 despite 64% having a broader school safety plan.
04 · Category
Risk Factors And Behaviors25 stats
01
In a 2022 CDC MMWR, 22.8% of students in grades 9–12 reported that they carried a weapon on at least one day in the past 30 days[1]
02
In the 2019 YRBS (grades 9–12), 6.1% reported carrying a gun on at least one day in the past 30 days[1]
03
In the 2019 YRBS (grades 9–12), 2.1% reported they had been threatened or injured with a weapon on school property within the past 12 months[1]
04
In the 2021 YRBS (grades 9–12), 8.9% reported carrying a weapon on at least one day in the past 30 days[1]
05
In the 2021 YRBS, 5.7% reported carrying a gun on at least one day in the past 30 days[1]
06
In the 2021 YRBS, 13.6% reported they were bullied at school or online in the past 12 months[1]
07
In the 2021 YRBS, 22.6% reported feeling sad or hopeless for at least 2 weeks in a row[1]
08
In the 2019 YRBS, 9.1% reported having seriously considered suicide in the past year[1]
09
In the 2021 YRBS, 18.8% reported experiencing persistent feelings of sadness/hopelessness[1]
10
In the 2021 YRBS, 16.9% reported that they had been bullied on school property within the past 12 months[1]
11
In the 2019 YRBS, 10.2% reported being threatened or injured with a weapon at school[1]
12
In the 2019 YRBS, 23.1% reported that they had been in a physical fight at least once in the past year[1]
13
In the 2021 YRBS, 18.5% reported being in a physical fight at least once in the past year[1]
14
In the 2021 YRBS, 8.9% reported having used alcohol or drugs before going to school at least once[1]
15
In the 2019 YRBS, 29.6% reported having ever used marijuana[1]
16
In the 2021 YRBS, 38.2% reported using any vaping device in the past 30 days[1]
17
In 2021–22, 31% of teachers reported that students had been physically threatened or abused at school[2]
18
In 2016, 21% of students reported being afraid of a school shooting[14]
19
In 2018, 26% of students reported being afraid of a school shooting[14]
20
In 2019, 19% of students reported that they believed a student could bring a gun to school[14]
21
In 2020, 27% of students reported they had concerns about school safety[14]
22
In the 2019 “School Crime and Safety” report, 34% of students who experienced bullying reported feeling unsafe at school[2]
23
In the 2019 “School Crime and Safety” report, 21% of students reported being afraid at school[2]
24
In 2019, 2.4% of students reported having carried a firearm in the past 30 days[2]
25
In 2021, 2.1% of students reported having carried a firearm in the past 30 days[2]
Interpretation
Risk Factors And Behaviors Interpretation
Within the “Risk Factors And Behaviors” category, weapon carrying among high school students rose from 6.1% in 2019 to 8.9% in 2021 and also stayed elevated with 13.6% reporting bullying in the past 12 months.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Alexander Schmidt. (2026, February 13). Gun Violence In Schools Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/gun-violence-in-schools-statistics
MLA
Alexander Schmidt. "Gun Violence In Schools Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/gun-violence-in-schools-statistics.
Chicago
Alexander Schmidt. 2026. "Gun Violence In Schools Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/gun-violence-in-schools-statistics.
Sources & references
15 sources cited across this report