Florida Adolescents Increasingly Carrying Handguns but Not in School

More Florida teens are carrying handguns, but fewer are bringing them to school, according to, “Trends in Carrying Handguns Among Florida Adolescents: 2002-2022,” a 20-year study published in the August 2025 Pediatrics. After examining data from 701,649 surveys submitted as part of the Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey, which polls Florida middle and high school students each year on topics surrounding substance abuse and other behaviors, researchers at the Colorado School of Public Health found that the overall prevalence of youth carrying handguns rose from 3.7% in 2002 to 6% in 2022 – a 65% increase. The study, published online July 7, also found that carrying of handguns in schools decreased in prevalence from 1.1% to .4%, representing a 60% decrease. However, general carrying of handguns increased significantly among females and middle school students during the study period. Despite this, the study found a significant decrease in teens who reported being able to access or carry handguns in school, according to survey results. Authors state that this could be due in part to increased media coverage of school shooting incidences that highlight the repercussions of guns in schools. The authors suggest tailoring earlier prevention strategies focused on handgun access and carrying towards female and middle school students. They also point to the need for support among rural and male adolescents across racial and ethnic identities, who are still are more likely to carry handguns than their peers. 

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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.