Lethal Weapons? Neighborhood Context and Firearm, Knife, and Other Weapon Use Across Violent Crime Type

Violent crime is concentrated in disadvantaged neighborhoods, yet less is known about whether neighborhood conditions are associated with how violence is perpetrated across weapon and crime types. This study examines firearm, knife, and other weapon homicides, assaults, and robberies in Los Angeles neighborhoods from 2014 to 2018. Results indicate that neighborhood characteristics have weapon specific associations that also vary by crime type. Racial composition is associated with violence, particularly gun homicide, whereas residential stability is more strongly associated with knife and other weapon offenses. These findings show that neighborhood context is associated not only with the concentration of violence but also with the weapons involved.