Only 12 percent of juvenile firearm offenders have had a prior adjudication or referral for a firearm-related offense. The rate of juvenile gun crime is generally higher during the school months, declining slightly in the summer, and falling sharply in December. These results follow general trends in juvenile crime in King County. For the majority of firearm offenses examined, it is not known where or how juveniles acquired guns. The firearm was obtained from a friend or relative in 42 percent of the cases.
Juveniles often receive firearms from their friends, usually at their school or home.
It is also common for juveniles to take their parents guns and bring them to school, give them to other juveniles, or use them in violent crimes. Juveniles often say they needed to take the gun for protection. The firearm was purchased by the juvenile in only 15 percent of the cases. The firearm was claimed to have been found by the juvenile in 4 percent of the cases. The gun is primarily used for intimidation.