The United States Congress has neglected to pass effective legislation partly because those most affected by the violence (the lower class and the unemployed) have little influence on Congress members. In trying to please a more affluent constituency, Congress has relied too much on repressive measures without addressing the systemic issues that have created the hopelessness and despair leading to gang membership. Although several programs begun via grants let by the National Institute of Justice and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention hold promise, more action is required. The following areas must be given priority in any gang-related legislation: effective law enforcement including gun control, enhancing economic opportunities by training and placing juveniles in the work force, and juvenile treatment programs which eliminate addictions while at the same time providing the juveniles with social skills. To bring about such long-term changes, Congress will need the input of not only police officers and lawyers but of experts and representatives of all fields of society. 42 references