I am in favour of gun controls, but only as an auxiliary measure. The problem, IMHO is not cause by the simple availability of guns; I honestly think it is the gang culture, and one has to go to the reasons for the creation of such a culture.

No, Guest,1sd, it isn't colour, no point trolling with that old saw again. But it could well be social status, poverty, lack of priviledge, lack of legitimate other interests for the youngsters etc. It is these things that frequently lead to the creation of gangs, often among the underpriviledged and downtrodden in ANY society, as a misguided attempt to regain self-esteem and feel in control of their lives. Stupid, I know, but there it is.

Education would help too, like gun controls. And I like Teribus' idea about "no remission" for such crimes too. You essentially have to load the stakes against whatever "benefit" the underpriviledged might gain from gang membership or gang-like behaviour/culture.

Of course, the surest way to achieve such a balance is to improve their circumstances, so that they are no longer underpriviledged.