Abstract

The present study employed an ecological perspective to examine the relative predictive power of individual and school contextual factors on weapon carrying at school. The study is based on a nationally representative sample of 10,400 students in Grades 7 through II in 162 schools across Israel. Hierarchical logistic modeling examined the relationships between students and school-level variables and carrying weapons to school (guns, knives, and other weapons). The authors found that school context is associated with weapon carrying and increases the likelihood of having students with weapons in the school. For instance, schools with a large proportion of students from low-socioeconomic status (SES) families showed higher levels of weapon carrying. Furthermore, individual factors, such as victimization and fear, are positively associated with weapon carrying in school. The discussion highlights the importance of improving school climate to deal more effectively with weapon carrying to school.