GIS, Guns, and Ethical Geography

Gun violence is a focal issue in the United States today. As part of the EthicalGeo initiative, I discuss some of the potential uses of GIS in creating comprehensive gun reform, while pointing out some of the ethical questions that arise from discussing these applications. Creating specialized Geospatial Information Systems for individual communities and law enforcement agencies based on the communities’ existing needs for additional safety measures could prevent future gun violence and mass shootings, but also raises the questions of location privacy and racial bias by local and state police.