I’ve been to Canada and Europe and they’re so much freer. I’d give the 2A rights if the cops disarmed. I may have lost those rights and nobody in my family worth $400 wants a firearm. I just see if I can buy one but don’t wanna be an owner myself. My mom considered a 12 gauge for a minute but didn’t want it

All while guns on the street cost half as much or less. The 2007 prices were ~$180 for a Glock 19 and like ~$120 for a shotgun that may be already sawed off. People dunno about the Chicago black market driving prices so far down. If you had AFOAF who was affiliated you night get in some trouble. We once went to a party I didn’t know was at a park on enemigos turf. There was only one member who invited a couple girls and a couple guys to the park. 6 of us and only 3 guys vs at least a dozen Kings who were coked out and ready to fight.

So they stole a whole bunch of Modelos. The SGD guy who invited us to this stupid park session told me that if I hadn’t made that U-Turn those LKs would’ve chucked the beers at my car. Like 24 of em. It would be worse if it were guns. When I would look up the cost of long guns online, I was shocked at how expensive they were. Nowadays if people wanna protect their families they may turn to the black market out of necessity.

Also not all gang members are desperately poor. The majority of the time it’s family ties. Even if it’s not there’s the cool factor. They get girls, money, action packed lifestyle. They’ve got stories for the tertiary graffiti crews from the area. So this draws us closer. Just belonging to the crew felt cool. Even if I’d get ragged for lack of skills. So then that gang set was at least 30 guys from 13-30. Heck out in Little Village the cops murdered a 13yo with his hands up and just trying to ditch a blaster.

Plus the crews and gangs nesr me are cupcake compared to down therem

My mom is mixed Caribbean but I’m white as hell and I’m not from the hood or anything. Problem is that hoods and barrios end up in the same highschool. I was in a graffiti crew of over a dozen with only one MLD tagbanger and unlike that other guy, he made sure his beefs didn’t include the rest of us. He’d leave the lunchroom. There were 9 active gangs at the school. The school was minorty white but obviously advantaged for us and asians.

When I took AP US history or English I was perceived as an A Student so a B+/A-/A, wasn’t hard to get. When I’d go to my 2 Level Math and Science classes I would be perceived as a C student so it was tough to get a C+/B-. I was legitimately better at History and English which is why I was recommended by teachers. Still. Keep in mind that wirh weighted GPA an A in English is worth 5 points and my C+ in Math was worth 2.3. Rigged.

Friend of mine failed too many classes Jr and graduated after doing a second Jr year. It was cool to watch and he was my housemate that year because of potential homelessness. My mom also took in anorher friend but he was older and paid rent. Once people starting camping in the backyard she drew the line. Still I and the others were kicked out for too much alcohol and open drug dealing from me mostly but our bigger time dealer got robbed in the driveway. I had e enough money to live elsewhere until I ended up in the psych ward with bipolar

My friend went military then got a BA degree and more successful than me. I have a theory that poverty breeds ambition (part of the allure of gangs) as he needs to do it all himself. While I can be a middle class slacker with a mom who can help me financially and still does.