Dodge the Bullet brings home the impact of Toronto’s gun violence

Who: Coalition for Gun Control and Zulu Alpha Kilo.

What: “Dodge the Bullet,” the next phase of the nearly 30-year-old organization’s “Trigger Change” campaign, which debuted last year.

When & Where: The web app debuted this week at DodgeTheBullet.ca. The Coalition for Gun Control’s ambition is to turn “Trigger Change” into a long-term grassroots movement, and plans to make the technology and web app available for use in major cities around the world.

Why: Shootings have been on the rise in Toronto, with Toronto Police Services listing 152 so far this year, 14 of them fatal. But while many Canadians favour stricter gun control, the Coalition for Gun Control says people tend not to think about it until they or someone close to them is involved.

How: The web tool uses geo-location and Toronto Police Services data to show users how close they are, in metres, to the site of a shooting in the city. Once users receive the information, they can share it via their social channels. Users are also being asked to sign the Coalition for Gun Control’s most recent petition.

The program continues the “Trigger Change” campaign, which debuted last year with the delivery of a 13-foot tall bullet sculpture to Toronto City Hall. That sculpture, along with TV ads and digital billboards, led to 22,000 signatures supporting a national ban on handguns and military-style assault weapons.

And we quote: “Our problem is not just the well-resourced and aggressive gun lobby. Our problem is that while the majority of Canadians support stronger gun control, they do not do anything about it. I have heard far too many people tell me that they never thought about gun control until someone they loved was caught in the crossfire. Victims want more than prayers and flowers. We need Canadians to stand up for gun control.” — Wendy Cukier, president of the Coalition for Gun Control.

Chris Powell