Although the presence of weapons in schools is probably not a new phenomenon, few data are available about the magnitude of the problem and how it has changed over the years. Anecdotal evidence, opinion surveys, and news reports indicate gun-related incidents in schools have increased in recent years, but estimates of fighting and weapon-carrying in schools vary widely. The Youth Risk Behavior Survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that fighting among students is fairly common, that fighting behavior may be a contributing factor in weapon-carrying behavior, and that students appear to view weapons as a means of protecting themselves. Other studies report an estimated 2 to 13 percent of students have carried weapons to school. In general, weapons are more likely to be carried by younger than older students, male students are much more likely than female students to carry weapons, and black students are more likely than Hispanic or white students to be involved in violent incidents. Despite the perception that non-urban schools are free of violence, communities of all sizes, ethnic composition, and socioeconomic status experience violence in schools. Weapons confiscated from students include firearms, knives, brass knuckles, box cutters, mace, pipes, smoke bombs, ax handles, tire irons, scissors, hatchets, hammers, razor blades, and bullets. Students are more likely to carry knives than any other weapon, and weapons in schools are brought in by teachers as well as by students. The primary reason students carry weapons to school is to protect themselves against possible aggressors. Methods to reduce weapon-carrying in schools include education, legal and regulatory changes, and environmental modifications. Cooperation among schools, communities, and public and private agencies is needed to address the root causes of violent behavior. 57 notes