Handgun Access—NYC Youth Violence Survey

The Handgun Access—NYC Youth Violence Survey is a survey conducted by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to assess the prevalence of handgun access among youth in the city. The survey was conducted in 2018 and involved a sample of 1,500 youth aged 14–24 in New York City. The survey asked questions about the youth’s access to handguns, as well as their attitudes and beliefs around gun violence. The survey found that approximately one in five youth reported having access to a handgun. The survey also found that youth with access to a handgun were more likely to report having been in a physical fight in the past year and to report having carried a weapon in the past year. Additionally, the survey found that youth with access to a handgun were more likely to report having witnessed a shooting in the past year. The survey results highlighted the need to address handgun access among youth in New York City. The survey findings can be used to inform public health interventions and policies to reduce access to handguns and reduce gun violence.