Cross and Liberty United bring attention to gun violence in the United States with a new pen.
Recently, a story that made national headlines brought me to tears. A three-year-old boy was shot and killed in a road rage incident in Little Rock, Arkansas, because his grandmother, who was driving the car, wasn’t moving fast enough to suit the guy behind her. The man got out of his car and opened fire. I kept thinking of my own grandson, who is about the same age as the precious child whose life was taken.
Most gun violence never makes the headlines, national or otherwise; it’s a reality that many people live with day in and day out, year after year. The problem is now so pervasive that it’s been called a public health crisis by the American Medical Association, yet there is no consensus when it comes to solutions.
In our June 2016 issue (see “A Pen with a Purpose”), we reported that the A. T. Cross Company teamed up with Fonderie 47, an organization founded by American entrepreneur Peter Thum, in a pen venture that helps remove illicit AK-47s from some of the most turbulent regions in Africa. In this partnership, Cross produced its Peerless fountain pen in a special version that incorporates decorative details in steel obtained from confiscated AK-47s. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each Cross Peerless Fonderie 47 pen is used to fund the destruction of ten more illicit AK-47s.
Now, in a logical extension of that project, Cross partners with Liberty United—another organization established by Thum—to help address the gun violence problem in the United States. Again, Cross has produced a special version of one of its most popular models, this time the Classic Century ballpoint, with decorative details made from the steel of illegal guns. By law, these guns must be destroyed, a process that represents an expense to the communities.
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Denne historien er fra February 2017-utgaven av PEN WORLD.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Remembering Ward Dunham (October 11, 1941 - August 24, 2024)
On August 24, 2024, calligrapher Ward Dunham passed away.
The Black Pen Society and the D.C. Pen Show: Poobah in a Flower Pot
Do you like black pens? If so, you are probably already familiar with the fun, frivolity, and fellowship associated with the Black Pen Society (BPS).
Stationery Fest: This Is Not a Pen Show
Daisy and Neil Ni's twist on the traditional pen show is about community, not commerce.
"It Has Style:" A History of the Aurora Hastil (1969-1970)
The Italian pen company's experiment in modernism led to a revolution in late 20th century pen design. A two-part series.
GW Pens Scores a Critical Hit
With new collections inspired by Dungeons & Dragons and Fender guitars, artisan John Greco is tapping into cultural trends.
Roterfaden's "Pocket Companion' "
The Taschenbegleiter hand-made planner system from German artisan cooperative Roterfaden features a modular organizational system that grows with the user's ambitions.
S.T. Dupont Takes the Iron Throne
The French atelier continues its forays into popular culture with a new, officially licensed Game of Thrones collection.
More Mail, More Dip-Less
The six-part series on dip-less (or one-dip) fountain pens garnered some major attention through its run from October 2023 through August 2024 (Vol. 36 No. 6 Vol. 37 No. 5).
David Oscarson: A Reflection
The artisan pen maker celebrates 25 years of luxury writing instruments with a new collection that harkens to his Art Nouveau roots.
The Parkette Hopalong Cassidy Ballpoint Pen
The Jotter was advertised as Parker's first ballpoint pen, but a novelty item that played on the Hopalong Cassidy culture craze predated it.
