His search for answers took him on a journey that extended over two years and 15,000 miles. Ultimately, more than a hundred gun owners opened their doors and their lives to him, answering the single question he asked: "why". The result is a collection of striking and thought provoking photographs: ARMED AMERICA: Portraits of Gun Owners in Their Homes.

Few issues generate as much debate as firearms. Without taking a pro or con stance, ARMED AMERICA shows the faces of American gun owners and gives voice to each individual "why"...without ancillary comment, editorializing, or judgment. These "everyman" portraits reveal people from different backgrounds, living in various locations, with one common connection.

"I tried to remove 'gun owner' from my mind as much as possible when making the actual photograph," says Cassidy. "I would go into someone's house and immediately start thinking 'how can I capture this person or this family fairly?" While it would be very easy for any photographer to pose a man with a military weapon in a stern and menacing way, light it dramatically and come away with a shocking photograph, Cassidy chose another more accurate and startling route. "I would ask myself 'What's this guy like every day? How do his friends and family see him?' He's a guy who owns a parakeet, or two cats, or a poodle, he's got two kids--he doesn't frown all day long because he's got a gun."

This riveting collection of 100+ photos will capture every reader's attention - whatever their stance on gun control.

Staff Review:
In 1999, the NRA said there were 215 million guns in the US owned by 50% of the population. The Brady Campaign said there were 192 million guns in the US owned by 39% of the population. Judging by Kyle Cassidy's fascinating collection of portraits of gun owners, I'd estimate that 75% of all the guns in the US are owned by Pennsylvanians (seriously, PA, what's wrong with you?). No matter how it shakes out, there are a lot of gun owners and even more guns in this country.

Cassidy travels America and photographs gun owners in their homes with their guns. While the diversity is broad, balanced and fascinating, what is truly compelling is the glimpse at how these gun owners live. Out of the 100 families profiled, 48% of them own pets while only 25% own a book (visible in the pictures). Cassidy asks them a simple question, "Why do you own a gun?" The answers vary from well-reasoned ("protection against zombie uprisings" and "we live in a post-Katrina world") to basic ("it just seems like a good idea") to ridiculous ("to keep the government honest" - um, how's that workin' out for ya?). In fact, 31 people cited freedom, the Constitution, their right/duty as an American citizen (so, I'm assuming these people are pretty pissed off that the Bush Admin. has taken away our right of Habeas Corpus, right?) or the Second Amendment to the Constitution (which actually states: "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." - see that "well regulated Militia" qualifier there?).

48 people said they own guns for security or protection. It's interesting that a majority of these people don't seem to be living in any sort of urban crime hotspots.

Does the book have an agenda? No. Armed America takes a broad look at the 39% - 50% of this country that feel the need to be armed.
-Benn Ray, Atomic Books Blog