Guns are the leading cause of death for black males ages 10 to 24. The rate at which youths are committing murders has increased sharply in recent years. The adolescent homicide rate has more than doubled since 1988; the dramatic rise in deaths from adolescent violence is explained almost entirely by the increased use of handguns. Overall, only a relatively small increase occurred in the proportion of youth involved in serious violent offenses. The central principles for preventing and reducing juvenile delinquency are strengthening families, supporting core social institutions, intervening immediately when delinquent behavior occurs, and identifying and controlling the small percentage of chronic and violent juvenile offenders. Figures