America’s 325 million residents own an estimated 347 million firearms. Not surprisingly, gun violence has become one of the most urgent public health issues facing Americans today. Holster Films and John Richie, the creator of Shell Shocked, are embarking on their next film project, 91%, which examines the national conversation surrounding gun legislation by looking at the failure to pass a universal background check.
In 91%, a handful of U.S. gun violence victims tell their heartbreaking stories of loss, pain, and a heroic search for hope in a nation stalled in a senseless gun control debate. Throughout these otherwise unrelated shootings, we find a common thread – the gunmen had all-too-easy access to the virtually untraceable, high-powered weaponry used in their attacks.
In the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre, a 2013 poll revealed that 91% of Americans support comprehensive background checks – a factor that could prevent thousands of similar gun violence tragedies nationwide. Yet, divisive political rhetoric and congressional gridlock continues to perpetuate a flawed system that hurts communities across the country.
Moving beyond the confusing gun control politics and avoiding any discussion about the often-unpredictable motivations of rampage killers, 91% shows that Americans almost unanimously support both 2nd amendment rights and common sense regulation. The film finds a shared language between citizens on both sides of the issue, encouraging them to move common sense policy forward by speaking up in a conversation typically dominated by firearm lobbyists and manufacturers.
This event is part of The Gun Violence Awareness Film Festival which consists of three films (Behind The Bullet, 91%, and Us Kids) and post-film discussions on the weekend of Friday, June 11th through Sunday, June 13th.
It is brought to you by the Gun Violence Prevention Center of Utah in partnership with the Utah chapters of March For Our Lives and Moms Demand Action.
Festival Details
We are screening these three documentaries to highlight different aspects of gun violence. Each film will be followed by a discussion of the topics and will feature directors, film subjects and local community members. The films are shown in honor of National Gun Violence Awareness Weekend—also known as WEAR ORANGE—a time when gun violence prevention supporters and advocates across the country wear orange to honor the victims of gun violence and show support for the gun safety movement.
Orange is the color that Hadiya Pendleton’s friends wore in her honor when she was shot and killed in Chicago at the age of 15 — just one week after performing at President Obama’s 2nd inaugural parade in 2013. After her death, they asked us to stand up, speak out, and wear orange to raise awareness about gun violence.
Since then orange has been the defining color of the gun violence prevention movement. Join us in displaying your orange wear and honor the victims and survivors of gun violence.
