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Standardizing the Display of IBR Data:
Weapon Variables

Tables Presented by the FBI

In the FBI's preliminary tables using NIBRS, data were used to illustrate NIBRS content and capabilities by providing simple, easy to understand tables and charts. One table uses Weapon Type to demonstrate the frequency of the use of weapons in violent offenses.

Number of Offenses Known by Weapon, Selected Offenses, 1998

Offense Number of Offenses Firearms Dangerous Weapons Personal Weapons Firearms with Dangerous and/or Personal Weapons Other Weapon Combinations Unk None
Murder

1,012

 576 252 76 11 17 80 0
Kidnapping / Abduction 4,133 600 407 1,823 53 71 240 939
Forcible Rape 10,100 122 507 6,073 28 128 546 2,696
Other Forcible Sex Offenses 16,212 57 610 9,969 17 94 852 4,613
Robbery 19,401 6,574 2,721 5,961 295 332 1,054 2,464
Aggravated Assault 83,725 13,551 13,551 21,516 1,397 4,495 2,192 3,814

To create this table, weapons were grouped into categories.  Firearms include the presence of at least one firearm, handgun, rifle, or shotgun.  Dangerous weapons include knives, clubs, blunt objects, and all weapons other than personal weapons (hands, fists, feet).   Combinations of different types of weapons were also included for comparison.  Firearms are reported as the weapon most frequently used in murders and robberies, but personal weapons are more often recorded for forcible sex offenses and kidnapping. 

Download SPSS code to replicate this table. 
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.