Escopetarra

Escopetarra on display at the United Nations Headquarters.

An escopetarra is a guitar made from a modified rifle, used as a peace symbol. The name is a portmanteau of the Spanish words escopeta (shotgun/rifle) and guitarra (guitar).

Escopetarras were invented by Colombian peace activist César López in 2003 at a gathering after the El Nogal Club bombing in Bogotá, when he noticed a soldier holding a gun like a guitar. The first escopetarra in 2003 was made from a Winchester rifle and a Stratocaster electric guitar.

He initially made five escopetarras, four of which were given to Colombian musician Juanes, Argentine musician Fito Páez, the United Nations Development Program, and the city government of Bogotá, while one was kept for himself. Juanes later sold his escopetarra for US$17,000 at a Beverly Hills fundraiser held to benefit victims of anti-personnel mines, while the escopetarra given to the UN was exhibited at the June 2006 of the UN Conference on Disarmament.

In 2006, López acquired an additional 12 decommissioned AK-47 machine guns from Colombia's peace commissioner's office; once they are converted into guitars, he plans to give them to high-profile musicians such as Shakira, Carlos Santana, and Paul McCartney, as well as political figures such as the Dalai Lama. However, a member of the Dalai Lama's staff rejected López' offer, citing the inappropriateness of giving a weapon as a gift; López has said he will try to explain his purpose more clearly.

See also

• Swords to ploughshares