This Photographer Traveled Across the U.S. to Ask Americans Why They Own Guns

 

At first glance, the people in Kyle Cassidy’s portraits couldn’t look more dissimilar from one another. They’re different ages, races, and genders, and they come from all across the United States. But they all have one thing in common: guns.

In 2004, Cassidy started wondering why people purchase firearms. To investigate, he bought a gun and started hanging out at a gun store in Philadelphia, where he lives. Over the next three years, he took three cross-country trips, photographing gun owners in their homes along the way. He also asked them a simple question—“Why do you own a gun?”—and recorded their answers. 

 see the gallery and text by Kyle Cassidy
Kyle Cassidy asked Americans why they own guns (PHOTOS).