Motorcycle Club Shootout in Texas Does Not Speak for all MC Clubs

A deadly shoot-out between some rival Motorcycle Clubs (MC) in Texas over the weekend has many thinking all "MC" clubs are no better. Simply not true!

To start off with a quick lesson for those who may not know, the "MC" you see on many motorcycle jackets means "motorcycle club." Most of these clubs consist of three patches on the back which is symbolic of a true "3-piece patched" club. The top rocker is the club name which is followed by the club patch in the middle and the bottom rocker is the location of that chapter.

Although many "MC" clubs do not wear a 3-piece patch, because to do so, requires permission from other 3-piece patched clubs in the area. That permission must be sought at what is called a "coalition of meetings" where a new club must seek permission to be a 3-piece patched club. Of course when most think of an MC club that wear the 3-piece patches, they think of the Hells Angels, Pagans, Sons of Silence, Outlaws, Bandidos, Warlocks, etc. These clubs are also what is known as 1% clubs meaning they are the 1% of the motorcycle riding population who do not follow the rules of society.

That all being said, I know many who belong to some of those clubs who are some of the most kind, hard working people you know and will give the shirt right off their back to help someone in need. They often give to charity on a grand level but believe in brotherhood first and foremost, above anything else, and just want to be left alone. These guys are not "gang members." There is a HUGE difference between an MC Motorcycle Club and an actual gang like the Crips and Bloods who make their way by taking advantage of the innocent.

The shooting Waco, Texas over the weekend took place at what I understand was a coalition meeting and there were a bunch of clubs present. Those who were directly involved though were all members of 1% clubs including the Bandidos, Cossacks and also the Scimitars. Some of those arrested (over 150 in all) were also members of Bandido "support" clubs including the Leathernecks and Los Pirados.

The point of all this though is there are many MC clubs out on the roads that are true 3-piece patched MC clubs that do not live by the way of the 1%'er. The gunfight in Waco is a tragic thing and should not be construed as what every "biker" is, regardless of the patch they wear. They aren't "gang members" who prey on the innocent and the only time violence breaks out is between clubs, other than that, they just want to be left alone. You can't say the same about a true "gang banger" that are too lazy to hold a job and make their living by robbing someone's Grandmother on the street corner.

And honestly, when was the last time we have heard about something like this? What happened in Waco is rarer than rare, and even when clubs do get involved in a beef, it's never been anything like this and rarely happens. I would venture a guess that this is the first time anything of this magnitude has ever happened, yet many of the comments on social pages and mainstream media make it sound like it happens all the time.

To make this even more amazing...there is no looting in Waco today. Imagine that! Nothing to see here folks, let's move on and ride safe out there!