How violent are gangs?
Once someone is a member of a gang it can be extremely difficult for them to leave, particularly when the gang feels that ex-members may divulge gang secrets or provide evidence against them to the police. Loyalty within a gang is so strong that members thought to have been disloyal are at risk of violence – even being killed. “There is a general consensus that there are links between gangs, guns and drugs,” Kate Broadhurst says. “However this relationship is complicated. For instance, gang members are more likely than non gang members to be drug dealers. Consequently drug dealers may use firearms to protect themselves or enforce debts – yet it is important to highlight that not all gun crime is drug related. “In addition, arrestee data shows that gang members are five times more likely than non-gang members to report owning a gun. One theory claims that a relationship may exist between the use of a weapon and the level of gang involvement – organised crime groups use guns whilst stree
