The Reality and Myth of Weapons and Violence in Gang Life

Introduction

Weapons and violence are both real and mythic elements of gang life. High profile and widely reported incidents of gun violence, like those from Indianapolis and Seattle, influence perceptions about gangs and gang violence. Yet such stories rarely include information that places these incidents within the context of crime trends over time, the nature and prevalence of gang violence, and the frequency of violence in the daily lives of gang members. Public perceptions about gangs may be skewed or exaggerated, raising fears about the prevalence of dangerous youth roaming the streets. The image of gun-toting, violent gang members is not just created by outsiders. It is also embraced and used by youth on the streets to navigate their social world. When gang members interact with peers, they often create personal and group-based myths by exaggerating their willingness and ability to use weapons and violence. The division between myth and reality is sometimes hard to discern in gang life.