oh yeah, i hear ya. i was just talking about LCN. Younger gangs are more prone to violence. Even then, I feel what I said applies to all gangs. Most of the members aren't stone-cold killers. They maybe violent guys but to think if every gang member in the country committed a murder, the crime would be way higher than it is. Here in Southern California, some of the biggest gangs are from low-crime suburban areas that border very affluent neighborhoods. They might have 1.000 members but only do a hit every 5-10 years.
Most join because their whole family or neighborhood is in it or to make money and party. The cops can label anyone a gang member. Just because your cousin is connected and you go to his house for a family BBQ, now you are labeled a member by the government and can be served with an injunction and actually sued or arrested.