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Weapon carrying behaviors and correlations with dating and community violence among young Black boys and men
Abstract   Peer reviewed

Weapon carrying behaviors and correlations with dating and community violence among young Black boys and men

Chuka N. Emezue, Jessica C. Bishop-Royse, Tipparat Udmuangpia, Dale Dan-Irabor, Adaobi G Anakwe, Wrenetha Julion and Niranjan S. Karnik
Journal of advanced nursing, v 82(Suppl 1), pp S30-S30
01 Mar 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.70505
PMID: 41814521

Abstract

Background: Firearm homicides among Black males (10-44 years) surged in 2019-2020, reaching levels unseen since 1994. Young Black males (YBM), ages 15-24, face 24 times the firearm homicide risk of their peers. While prior research establishes the association of weapon-carrying behaviors with peer victimization, retaliation, gang violence, and community violence, its specific relationship with dating violence among youths remains notably understudied, highlighting an important gap this study seeks to address. Aims: This cross-sectional study examines the associations between weapon-carrying behaviors and multiple forms of violence, including adolescent and youth dating violence, among young Black males in high-violence settings. Methods: Baseline survey data from 266 YBM (15-24 years, mean age=18.32, SD=3.10) was analyzed using items from the CDC Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) measures. Weapon carrying behavior (WCB) was assessed through self-reported weapon carrying in the past 30days. Negative binomial regression (for count data) and Pearson's correlation analyses using STATA identified significant predictors. Results: Participants were African American (99%) with at least a high school education (42.7%). Nearly one in five (17.3%) reported carrying a weapon (gun, knife, or club) for at least 2-3 days in the past month; 19.1% had threatened someone with a weapon at least 2-3 times in the past year. Over 36.7% reported perpetrating psychological and physical dating abuse (28.3%) A negative binomial regression model provided good fit to the data (AIC=463.70). After adjusting for SES and violence-related factors, YBM who reported psychological or physical dating violence toward an intimate partner were 4.46 and 3.34 times more likely to carry a weapon in the past 30 days, respectively. Witnessing (OR=3.56) or experiencing community violence (OR=12.3) was significantly associated with WCB. Correlation analysis revealed a strong relationship between WCB and all violent behaviors analyzed (p <0.001). Conclusions: These findings underscore the need for early trauma- and risk-informed programs that address the interconnected risks of weapon carrying, dating violence, and community violence exposure. Firearm violence interventions should focus on integrating conflict resolution, de-escalation training, and healthy relationship skills, particularly among young boys and teens in high-violence contexts.

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