In the American wild west days, cowboys were required to leave their guns at the sheriff's office when they entered town.
It was thought they were likely to be used, if the cowboys had them strapped to their hips, when they invariably got liquored up.
The townsfolk felt intimidated, too. The only ones who refused to hand in their guns were the outlaws. Apparently they never parted from their gun unless it was shot out from under them.
Those must have been exciting times, a common occurrence, witnessing a shootout on the way to and from the schoolhouse.
A private member's bill - The Prohibition of Gang Insignia in Government Premises - by MP Todd McClay is designed to have the same effect: "Leave your patch at home, boy. Don't bring your patch to town."
The bill has passed its first reading and has gone to a select committee, where submissions will be heard. I'm sure it will become law.
Essentially gangs will not be able to wear their patches and other gang insignia in government buildings or public hospitals.
I can't say I have noticed many gang members in public buildings, either in small or large groups - apart from outside the courthouse, and even then that hasn't been that often.
However, they must be a problem; some research undertaken shows the general public feel intimidated by them. In a group, I'm sure some people would find that so. I haven't experienced it myself. But we all know their lifestyle.
It's not one I would ever want a member of my family to follow or get attached to. But there again, in the best of families you get those who make irrational decisions.
Recently I spent a few days with members of two separate gang chapters. I enjoyed their company. One chapter had mainly younger members and in the other one they were older, more mature members.
We talked about a whole raft of issues but mostly their wish to find work. I didn't look at them with suspicion or feel intimidated and, yes, they were all wearing their patches.
I didn't want to know, nor was it my business, what they might have done in the past, but I suspect everyone had done some time in prison.
I was there to focus on what they might want to do with their lives in the future; because in their homes are women and children. If for no other reason that will ensure I make myself available to provide advice to the gangs if they need me.
I have found when you sit down and talk to people you realise that underneath we are all pretty much the same.
We have similar wants and needs and we like to keep company with those we have things in common with. Gangs provide their members with a total sense of belonging. Theirs is a brotherhood existence where they find true acceptance and comradeship; where they are willing to die for one another.
It is a life defined by lawlessness, sexual perversity and violence.
The majority of members come from backgrounds of neglect, abuse, poverty and loneliness.
Banning gang patches in public places may make the public feel safer in government buildings.
The bill will serve that purpose. But a truly safer community is one where the gangs themselves start to make true change among their own gang communities.
That won't be easy, but some are starting now to look to a future not determined by their past behaviour. What that future will look like is anyone's guess.
My job is to assist, in anyway possible, their long journey home.