Photo project: traces of weapons in the everyday life of Americans
In the United States, one of the most important topics of today's public discourse is the topic of legislation in the field of storage, carrying and purchase of weapons. The preservation of the Second Amendment to the Constitution and the right of an American citizen to bear arms is being seriously criticized, since murders and shootings occur daily, and the recent series of sad incidents has confirmed the importance of discussing this issue.
Brooklyn-based photographer Katie Schorr uses the lens as a means of participating in a dialogue about gun legislation in her home country. She created the photo project SHOT ("Shot").
(16 photos in total)
Saarland.
"Gun violence seemed to become more frequent, and I began to think about what happened to the people who were shot at, but they survived. We always hear about those who died, but never about what happened to the surviving victims," the photographer explains.
Raven.
"It feels like they should just pick up their physical and emotional pieces and move on with their lives. I thought it was important to show them and hear what they have to say."
Shirley.
With this thought in mind, Schorr traveled around the United States to film and interview 101 victims of gun incidents — children, women, men, Indians, blacks, whites, police officers, police victims and even members of the National Rifle Association aged eight to eighty years and from a wide variety of social strata.
John.
"A gun was aimed at me and my little daughter during a house robbery a few years ago, and I know what it feels like when someone has power over your fate and, possibly, over the fate of a person dear to you," Katie recalls.
Marlis.
Given the complexity of the topic, the photographer clarified that in no way presents her photo project as an answer to the question at the center of the discussion about weapons. She says it's not a black and white picture of the world. "SHOT was not created to divide people. There are people in the project who own guns and members of the National Rifle Association."
Shanessa.
For two and a half years, during which Schorr traveled more than a hundred thousand miles, she created the project at her own expense. She recently signed a contract with PowerHouse Books, but needs crowdfunding to tell the stories of her heroes to the whole world.
Joe.
Janine.
Tanya.
Minister I.
Cris.
Jasbir.
Tyrek.
Karina.
Keywords: Americans | Weapons | Injury | Usa | Photographer