The first paper shows that juvenile crime in New Orleans has increased at a more rapid rate than adult crime. Between 1985 and 1990, the number of juvenile arrests increased by 82 percent. committed by juveniles and in the number of juveniles carrying weapons. Although juveniles comprised only 11 percent of the total number of persons arrested in 1990, they accounted for 30 percent of all murder charges. The second paper summarizes studies of juvenile violence and proposals for reducing such violence. Violence prevention proposals include eliminating weapons in schools, promoting a "Cease Fire" campaign throughout the community, establishing student crime watch programs in schools, focusing on juvenile crime prevention and on intervention for first and nonviolent repeat offenders, changing the juvenile justice system, and keeping problem youth in the school system. The third paper examines the prevalence of weapon use among juveniles in the commission of violent crimes. Data collected from 110 detained juveniles show that weapons used by juvenile offenders are becoming more sophisticated and dangerous, that juveniles obtain weapons quite easily, and that juveniles use guns for protection from a violent environment. The operation and effectiveness of the juvenile justice system in Louisiana are discussed. References, tables, and figures