Wear this Piece to Make Peace

Here's something to get fired up about: B-Side jewelry's gun reclamation project by Ken & Dana Design. The eponymous Brooklyn-based duo grew tired of hearing about people getting shot every week, so they decided to do something about it.

According to their website they say, "Rather than spend our energy on fear or contempt, we've decided to take this instrument that represents violence and reframe it as a symbol of non-violence."

With materials from gun manufacturers, Ken Leung and Dana Chin create original edgy pieces for men and women. The project comes full circle, as they donate a portion of the collection's sales to New York City's Gun Buy-Back program. Since 2008, upwards of 6,000 gun have been taken off the streets.

This past January, in the Bronx alone, 1,200 firearms were returned in exchange for $200. Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly says that, although an exact figure will never be know, the recovery of those guns will likely save 5,000 lives.

Photo by Dana Chin: Courtesy Ken & Dana Designs.