Club members questioning ban of gang patches

 This law has been put in place by the coalition Government to try and reduce the fear and intimidation that can be caused by gang patches and insignia. 

Laeton Ryan, an active member of the Mangu Kaha gang believes that this law won't actually reduce fear but could cause more. “The fear is still going to be there, the gangs are always going to be there.”

These new laws will apply to 35 gangs listed in the gangs act. This will include clubs such as The Mangu Kaha, The Mongrel Mob and the Commoncheros.

For a lot of Gang Members, like Laeton, their patches and colours mean a lot to them. It's their family, it's their purpose and it's their way of life.

Laeton believes there are other solutions out there that won't cause more fear to the public or take away any gang members' human rights. “The government could work with the gangs a bit more instead of putting all these bands and legislation in place.”

 “Let some of the gang members come and talk to the Government and police about how they can try and help us so we aren’t putting fear into the community.” He says he would love to live in a world where no one has to be scared or intimidated and everyone can wear what they want.

“The gangs will always be around for the next generation. They can ban the patches and the gang regalia but they're never going to be able to stop that."

Once the legislation is put in place Laeton believes it will cause more trouble for the police and give gang members another reason to go and get tattoos.