The other night we checked out b-side by jewelry designers Ken & Dana at Stay in the Lower East Side. Their Gun Reclamation Project showcases jewelry created using various gun components. In an effort to keep guns off the streets of New York City, the duo designers put on the launch event with Z!NK Magazine to get more community backing  up their work.

Currently the pair are buying the gun pieces directly from the manufacturers, but plan on collaborating in the future with the NYC buy back program to get the components for their jewelry instead of it being thrown away.

Ticket proceeds for the event went towards the NYC gun buy back program. At a buy back event, the District Attorney’s office and the NYPD collaborate with local churches and now, Ken & Dana to fund the $200 bank cards given per firearm that is donated on the day of the event. The event was fun to go to and having an open bar for the first two hours definitely started the launch party right. Congrats to Ken & Dana for a successful event. This is a positive and creative way to continue to keep guns off the street. -RICH RAMA

Photos by Jon Herrera