Lawmen and Outlaw

An udercover ATF agent; William Queen goes undercover and risk his life to infiltrate the most notorious Sothern California motorcycle gang The Mongols. William Queen describes his harrowing tale in his book called Under and Alone. In a 2005 New York Times article, "Mr.Queen said there was a fine line between a lawmen and a outlaw. They're both gangs in their own way,' he [Queen] said" (LeDuff). William Queen is saying the law enforcement police and the motorcycle club are very similar and different in many aspects.

Outlaws are lawless people who constantly commit crimes. They become rebellious and refuse to live by society's rules and live by their own terms. Lawmen are law-enforcement officers of the law. They follow and enforce the laws to establish peace within society. William Queen describes them as being similar because they both have a brotherhood between them. Each member in the group shares a special bond with each other. They become a family unit that develops a strong comradery.

William Queen learns new material when posing as a hard-core biker striving to become a Mogol patch member. Outlaw motorcycle club members can be categorized as "one percenters". This term is stated that 99% of motorcyclists are law-abiding citizens, implying that the last one percent were outlaws. Being a member means a 24-hour-a-day commitment to "The Life". The Mongols take commitment very seriously as they acknowledge their actions and possess a bad reputation. The Mongols are known for drug dealing, illegal gun sales, extortion, motorcycle theft and violence of all kind including gang rape and murder. Being a member within the organization offers protection as they stand and defend for one another. Being a lawman also has that benefit as police men and women have weapons are willing to protect each other.

Outlaws and lawmen are similar in various ways but also different. Being a lawmen or outlaw have many advantages such as family and protection. The quote from William Queen is basically stating that outlaws and lawmen are on opposite ends of the law but the posses the same characteristics.