Miranda Viscoli
What if a weapon could become a tool for growth, a song, or even a room you can step inside to remember a life? We sit down with Miranda Viscoli, executive director of New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence, to explore how Guns to Gardens turns surrendered firearms into shovels, sculptures, instruments, and a traveling installation built by teens who refuse to let grief be the final word.
This story begins with small, contested gun buybacks and evolves into a statewide creative network where law enforcement, artists, and students work side by side. Miranda shares how partnerships with Raw Tools and renowned artist Pedro Reyes helped youth at RFK High School learn forging and welding, earn wages, and create tributes to classmates lost to gun violence. From a working xylophone and guitar made of gun parts to the House the Guns Built—an immersive space with deliberately uncomfortable chairs—art becomes a catalyst for healing, remembrance, and community dialogue. Along the way, we unpack the legal and cultural hurdles in New Mexico, why collaboration with police is central to safety and trust, and how public murals layered with augmented reality, spoken word, film, and music carry prevention messages into everyday streets.
This is not about taking sides; it’s about preventing harm. We talk policy battles around domestic violence and firearms, the realities families face when they need to safely dispose of guns, and the national network that now supports similar efforts across the country. If you’ve ever wondered how creativity can move a stuck conversation, offer real job skills, and give young people a role in shaping legacy, this episode offers a clear, grounded roadmap.
