The start of OMGs started with the situation World War II
veterans faced when they returned home after the war. Many of these
veterans had been trained to ride motorcycles in the military and
struggled to re-integrate into society (for a variety of social and
economic reasons).
Although a general rebellious attitude and a love for riding
motorcycles played a somewhat substantial role in the initial
formation of motorcycle clubs from the 1940s to 1950s, some of
these riding clubs soon transformed into criminal gangs. The Hells
Angels are considered to be the first recognized OMG, and was
formed by California based WWII veterans.
Outlaw motorcycle clubs “provide a context for individuals with
a high propensity for illegal activity to unite long enough to
operate enterprises of varying degrees of sophistication.” They are
involved in distributing firearms, explosives, stolen motorcycles,
and motorcycle parts etc.
The Hells Angels, Bandidos, Mongols, Outlaws, Sons of Silence,
and Pagans MCs are the most powerful OMGs.
Support clubs, which have minor to moderate involvement with
criminal activity and maintain a relationship with a larger
one-percenter club for protection and to bolster their reputations
(e.g., Gray Ghosts MC).
Satellite clubs, which are created and controlled by members of
the larger one-percenter clubs and serve as sources of recruits to
the larger clubs; members of a satellite club perform tasks related
to the criminal activity of the larger club (e.g., Red Rockers
MC).
Regional clubs, which have limited membership and territory
(e.g., Devils Disciples MC); these groups usually have some links
to larger one-percenter clubs and may or may not claim
one-percenter status.
The larger one-percenter clubs (e.g., Hells Angels MC, Mongols
MC, etc.) are at the top of the criminal hierarchy in the world of
the outlaw biker and determine much of its dynamics.