Chicago exhibit replicates bike-sharing with AR-15s in gun protest art

A new protest art exhibition in Chicago gives the illusion that renting an AR-15 rifle is as easy as borrowing a bike.

The “Chicago Gun Share Program” is a new public display that replicates a bike-sharing station with 10 replicas of the controversial firearm, Chicago’s WGN TV reports.

“Our hope is to raise awareness of this important issue. We’re hoping the Chicago community can take advantage of this … and learn how simple it is for a civilian to obtain a weapon of war,” said Max Samis, press secretary for the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence.

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The gun safety group partnered with Chicago-based advertising agency, The Escape Pod, to install the exhibit this week.  

Vinny Warren, the agency’s executive creative director, said the startling display is meant to spark a conversation.

“This issue is especially relevant to our home town of Chicago, which has suffered more than most from the plague of gun violence,” Warren said.

Chicago has seen a decline in gun violence over the past 13 months, though the city has had a history of high gun crimes. 

Shootings decreased 17 percent in March compared with the same period last year, while gun homicides dropped 25 percent. 

Visitors can’t actually get a gun but they can make a donation to the Brady Center, WGN reported.

The Brady Center has been advocating for an assault weapons ban since the Feb. 14 school shooting in Parkland, Fla., where an AR-15 was used to kill 17 people.

The display will be up in Chicago’s Daley Plaza until Wednesday.