Gang violence

Gang violence refers to mostly those illegal and non-political acts of violence perpetrated by gangs against innocent people, property, or other gangs. Throughout history, such acts have been committed by gangs at all levels of organization, social class, and race. The idea that one particular race is more often responsible for gang violence is readily shown to be a fiction by a brief historical examination.

English Gentlemen's Clubs and Violence

The Hellfire Club (1746-1763) started as a Gentlemen's club, which included members of the British aristocracy. Eventually, their desire for exploring new experiences led to violence. They began stalking the streets of London, engaging in violent acts, such as rape and arson. A common act of violence, termed "Tipping the Lion", consisted of gouging out the eyes of an innocent victim, and smashing in the nose with a large block of iron. Later gangs, such as the Mollies, the Sharps, and the Sons of Violence continued in these traditions, but wore women's clothing.

Early American Gang Violence

Every early American city was ravaged by gang violence at some point in its history, and it often had profound effects on the political climate and later development in general. Often, politicians themselves were involved, funding gangs to be used in violent acts against political opponents. In New York, many gangs were centered in the infamous Five Points region, and included the Bowery Boys, the Plug Uglies, and the Dead Rabbits. Aside from their regular practice of regularly killing innocent people for money, the most notorious singular violent act committed by these gangs was the New York Draft Riots of 1863. The common tools of the trade were often blackjacks, lead pipes and daggers. Gang members could often be identified by the large plug hats that they would wear pulled down over their ears, usually stuffed with paper and rags to mitigate blows from attackers. In San Francisco, one of the largest and most influential gangs was the Sydney Ducks, which consisted of mostly immigrants from Australia.

Modern American Gang Violence

Modern American gangs introduced new acts of violence, such as curbing, quoting, and an updated version of the driveby, in which the victim is often selected according to his/her innocence. Many of these violent acts also function as a rite of passage for new gang members. Two of the better known modern American gangs are the Bloods and the Crips of Los Angeles.

Modern British Gang Violence

British gang violence is on an increase notable ares including Glasgow, Nottingham, and Birmingham. More disturbingly gang violence is beginning to increase in British Suburbia in middle class areas. For example the quiet city of Milton Keynes has a growing gang culture.