• For both males and females, the arrest rate for weapons law violations increased substantially through the 1980s before reaching a peak in 1993. Between 1980 and 1993, the rate increased proportionally more for females (248%) than for males (136%).
• After reaching a peak in 1993 both rates declined through 2002 (55% for males and 35% for females), increased through 2006, then fell in the last year. Despite these declines, the rates in 2007 for both sexes were still above their 1980 levels (36% for males and 147% for females).
• The disproportionate increase in the female rate narrowed the gender disparity in weapons law violation arrest rates. In 1980, the male rate was sixteen times the female rate; in 2007, the male rate was nearly nine times the female rate.

---

Internet Citation: OJJDP Statistical Briefing Book. Online. Available:
http://ojjdp.ncjrs.org/ojstatbb/crime/JAR_Display.asp?ID=qa05243. October 24, 2008.

---