Highlights of Gang-Related Legislation
(updated December 2012)

• All 50 states and the District of Columbia (DC), have enacted some form of legislation relating to gangs or gang-related activity.

• 42 states and DC have legislation that defines “gang.”

• 14 states have legislation that defines “gang member.”

• 31 states define “gang crime/activity.”

• 29 states have passed gang-prevention laws.

• 30 states have laws that provide for enhanced penalties for gang-related criminal acts.

• 15 states and DC have enacted anticarjacking statutes.

• More than half the states have laws against graffiti.

• 26 states and DC have legislation on gangs and schools.

• 11 states have enacted laws that deal with gang-related databases.