MS-13: The Most Dangerous Gang

Originating in Los Angeles, California, America's most dangerous gang is thus far is Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13). What started out as a small, tight-knit group of friends going to rock concerts, turned into an army of terrifying, rigid gang members. Now with over 100,000 active members across the world, the gang has made a reputation as the most dangerous gang. MS-13, in a nutshell, is a profit making mafia. What brings in the big bucks for them primarily is large-scale drug trafficking. From cocaine to LSD, they claim to supply anything required for a price. Another money making method for the gang owning territory, i.e., the small blocks of the City of Los Angeles. Owning these territories is worth killing for in their eyes, and it is quite obvious why. For every block owned is money made off of the small businesses there, and the tax the gang charges can range all the way up to 50%! However, gang life is a lifestyle may seem like a one-way ticket to making money and having protection, you will indeed pay a …show more content…
Referring to the video, it states that MS-13 recruited members at the young age of just eight-years-old. What I see here is either, A, peer-pressure, or B, the kids seeing the rewards/benefits of being in a gang other than observing the risk's or punishments. I imagine that these people find a high volume of exhilaration and excitement when committing illegal gang activities, this is also known as edgework. If you look at the rational choice theory and apply it to gang members, it does not balance out in my opinion. As a gang member, you are sometimes ordered to do something as opposed to making your own choice at free will. Although, I can argue that these individuals believe that everything that they do (gang wise), indeed outweighs the risk due to the gang's reputation only get stronger and more