US artist takes aim at confiscated weapons
After a personal tragedy, one LA artist is turning confiscated firearms into artistic sculptures.
Published On 14 Aug 2012
Thousands of illegal weapons are recovered in the United States every year, and by law they should all be destroyed.
The guns are supposed to be molded into steel reinforcing bars, to be used in building roads and bridges.
In Los Angeles, however, not every confiscated weapon gets thrown into the incinerator: some find their way to Victor Hugo Zayas, who transforms them into works of art.
He has convinced the LA Police to let him have some of the illicit guns, after a personal tragedy became an inspiration.
The finished sculptures are on display in the Laguna Art Museum.
Al Jazeera’s Rob Reynolds reports from Los Angeles, in the United States.