Bewaffnetes Amerika - Armed America

'Why do you own a gun?' A photographer from Philadelphia set out to explore this question. Kyle Cassidy (b. 1966) photographed gun owners across the U.S. for his book and paired their answers with the images. For example, a young man named Dan says: 'I consider gun ownership not only a right, but a duty of a people toward themselves and future generations.' Or a young woman named Ivy: 'It would be easier for me to shoot a person who breaks into my house than an animal whose home I have invaded.' So what is it about guns that fascinates Americans so much? Thats what Kyle Cassidy wanted to know. In the summer of 2006, the photographer packed his two cameras, four lenses, and a suitcase of clothes into a Jeep Cherokee. He drove 15,000 miles across the country with his assistant because he wanted to meet and photograph gun ownersin their homes, in their living rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens, with children, dogs, or cats, books, furniture and decorations. And with their guns. His research trip lasted two years. Cassidy asked everyone he photographed the same question: 'Why do you own a gun?' He never judged the answers, he never argued. He portrayed Americas gun owners as the 'ordinary' people they are. From lawyers to police officers to writers, Republicans and Democrats, old and young people, men, women, and families.