ABSTRACT
In the midst of other types of homicidal violence in society, there has been a rash of fatal school shootings and other school violence. School shootings are representative of the greater problem of school violence occurring at high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools across the country. Teachers have also been the victims of student or other staff-perpetrated threats and nonfatal school violence. The relationship between school violence and student possession of weapons has been well documented. Virtually all lethal violence at school is closely associated with students carrying, using, or having easy access to guns. The increasing presence of youth gangs at schools in the United States has been strongly related to school shootings, violence, and illicit drug activity. The availability of illegal drugs at school has also been associated with school violence, street gangs, drug dealing, and other adolescent antisocial behavior.
