Outlaw biker gangs operate much like extremist groups, researcher says

LAWRENCE — After Sunday's deadly biker brawl in Waco, Texas, the Justice Department has sought to raise public awareness of the prevalence of outlaw biker gangs often involved in criminal activity.

Federal law enforcement officials estimate there are still more than 300 outlaw motorcycle gangs in the U.S., including the Bandidos and the Hells Angels.

Nine people died in Sunday's shootout, and about 170 suspects in the melee are now awaiting the judicial process as prosecutors decide on formal charges. The investigation is expected to take months, according to national news reports.

A University of Kansas expert on extremist groups is available to discuss issues surrounding outlaw biker gangs.

Don Haider-Markel, professor and chair of the Department of Political Science, researches extremist groups, terrorism, public policy and American politics.

Haider-Markel said it's not common for rival motorcycle gangs to have direct contact and usually fights between rivals involve only a couple members instead a large group, unlike the Waco incident. There is also little way to gain public information about these groups, he said.

"These groups operate in much the same way as most extremist groups in that most people join and stay for similar reasons—they are looking for camaraderie in worldview and social interaction," Haider-Markel said. "However, many political extremist groups do not survive through criminal activity, whereas many biker gangs would disappear if members weren’t engaged in criminal activity."

To arrange an interview with Haider-Markel, contact George Diepenbrock at gdiepenbrock@ku.edu or 785-864-8853.