Our article sought to guide nurses in how to protect themselves and their coworkers in the ED. Precisely because gang culture is one of "crime, degradation, and disrespect for the community," gang members are less likely than most to be considerate of hospital policy, the professionalism of the caregiver, or anyone else's preferences. We did not intend to direct health care workers in the ED to pacify gang members; rather, we wanted to address the possibility that a gang member would read a nurse's face, body language, and tone and figure out that she thinks he should "learn to live within the constraints of civilized society." If the gang member sees this reaction in any of the ED staff, other staff members must know how to defuse the potential escalation to violence.