No, they're not simply a gang. And arguing that they are is just silly. There hasn't been a criminal organization in postmodern history as far reaching as the mob was at its peak. End of story. But if you're a moralist and asking yourself whether your average LCN guy is a "better" person than you're average gangbanger, the objective answer is no.

If a guy shows up to do you harm over some money, or shake you down for part of your hard earned business, then it doesn't make a bit of difference if he's wearing a Brioni suit and a pinky ring or he's wearing a doo-rag and sporting a gold tooth. Right is right. Wrong is wrong. And crime is crime.