This study examines the historical precedents and the laws that allow federal troops to combat domestic enemies, the current environment that may call for the use of active duty forces, and a model that can be used to deal with domestic disturbances within the United States. There are three Constitutional laws and two unwritten laws that give the President the authority to commit federal forces to quell a domestic disturbance. In addition to these laws, there are two laws that limit the President's use of these federal forces in a domestic situation. Street gangs are analyzed using a methodology developed by Bard E. O'Neill. This methodology shows that street gangs are a form of Preservationist insurgency. After identifying the threat (street gangs), the Internal Defense and Development (IDAD) model is analyzed and used to establish a base for planning a campaign. The conclusion of this study is that street gangs and the associated domestic violence is a threat to the United States, but not an organized military or political threat, that is unified under one individual. It is a state problem that may require federal assistance in the forms of law enforcement, economic aid, social aid and military support.

ADA 274041 Approved for public release; Distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)