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Standardizing the
Display of IBR Data:
Weapon Variables
Additional Examples of Displaying Weapon Variables Weapon variables have been used in various reports to show what types of weapons are
commonly used in violent offenses. Presented below are examples of tables using Weapon variables. SPSS code is
presented with each table. The first table compares the use of firearms and personal weapons (hands, fists, feet)
during rapes, robberies, and aggravated assaults occurring at schools. Example 1. Comparison of Personal Weapons vs. Firearms for Selected
Offenses Firearms were more likely to be involved in robberies or aggravated assaults than any
other school violence offense. However, personal weapons were the most common
weapons of choice for violent offenses. Download SPSS syntax for Example 1. The next table looks at the type of weapon used to commit rapes by family members,
known nonfamily individuals, and strangers. Example 2. Type of weapon/force used to commit rapes reported in 3 NIBRS
states, by relationship of offender to victim, 1991 Type of weapon/force
used This table selects out rape offenses, and then categorizes relationship by family
members, known nonfamily individuals,strangers, and unidentified offenders.
Frequencies of type of weapon are then run. Download SPSS syntax for Example 2. The third example compares the type of weapon used by juvenile and young adult
arrestees. Example 3. Weapon Use Among Juvenile and Young Adult Arrestees Young Adults The table shows that juveniles most often use personal weapons, whereas young adults
are more likely to use firearms. This table was created by creating age groups of juveniles and young adults, and then
selecting out the offenses committed by these two groups. A frequency of weapon type
was then displayed. Download SPSS syntax for Example 3. The final table looks at the weapon used for Part 1 violent offenses. Example 4. Violent crimes by the type of weapon used Type of Crime As this table shows, a number of violent offenses are reported as involving no weapon.
For the offenses listed other than murder, the most frequently reported weapon is a
personal weapon (hands, fists, feet). Download SPSS syntax for Example 4.
Produced by the South Carolina Department of Public Safety in School Violence in
South Carolina 1996 - 1998: An Incident-Based Descriptive Analysis, 2000.
To create this table, all firearm weapons were grouped together. The rape, robbery,
and aggravated assaults occurring at schools were then selected. A bar graph was
created, comparing the weapon types.
Note: Please check that the variable names used in this syntax match the
variable names in your data file. If you need assistance, contact JRSA.
Produced by Brian A. Reaves in Using NIBRS Data to Analyze Violent Crime.
Published by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 1993.
Relationship
Number
Total
Physical force only
Gun
Knife
Other, unknown
None
Total
2,865
100%
80%
5%
7%
3%
4%
Family member
482
100%
90%
2%
3%
2%
3%
Parent
172
100
91
1
1
1
6
Spouse
86
100
78
5
14
2
1
Sibling
38
100
95
3
0
3
0
Other
186
100
94
1
1
4
1
Known, nonfamily
1,563
100%
85%
3%
4%
4%
4%
Acquaintance
1,042
100
86
3
4
3
3
Friend
252
100
88
4
4
3
1
Neighbor
43
100
81
7
7
2
2
Boyfriend
133
100
79
3
8
8
3
Ex-spouse
26
100
73
8
12
8
0
Other
67
100
73
3
4
1
18
Stranger
651
100%
69%
10%
16%
3%
3%
Unidentified
169
100%
57%
13%
7%
7%
17%
Note: Please check that the variable names used in this syntax match the
variable names in your data file. If you need assistance, contact JRSA.
Produced by the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, in Juvenile
and Young Adult Firearm Use in South Carolina, 1999.
Juveniles
Weapon
Number
Percent
Number
Percent
Total Firearms
717
18.1
2,320
32.6
Hands, Feet, etc
1,371
34.7
2,172
30.5
Blunt Object
745
18.8
1,105
15.5
Knife
713
18.0
988
13.9
All Other Weapons
358
9.0
447
6.3
Unknown
51
1.3
82
1.2
Total
3,995
100
7,114
100
Note: Please check that the variable names used in this syntax match the
variable names in your data file. If you need assistance, contact JRSA.
Produced by Kevin Strom in Crime Data Requests, 1994-1996. Produced
by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 1997.
Type of Weapon
Murder
Forcible Rape
Robbery
Aggravated Assault
No weapon
0
3114
2723
3405
Handgun
421
133
6620
7884
Shotgun
69
4
317
1411
Rifle
58
0
132
945
Other firearm
127
35
1255
2648
Knife/sharp object
166
242
1932
15273
Other weapon
137
468
1656
24611
Personal weapon
72
6628
6736
22527
Unknown
100
583
1251
2101
Total
1150
11207
22622
80805
Note: Please check that the variable names used in this syntax match the
variable names in your data file. If you need assistance, contact JRSA.