Apple Enters The Gun Violence Debate By Replacing The Revolver Emoji With A Water Gun

While it may not change the world, Apple seems to have taken baby steps to help start a discussion about gun violence in the U.S. In its latest round of updates, Apple has replaced its gun emoji with a harmless water pistol. But not everyone was happy with the change.

People have found varying uses for the cavalcade of emoticons available, but the gun emoji was used in a way to signify people were frustrated and finished with a situation. It seemed to be funny in the moment, but if you really think about it, it’s kind of dark. It has been subbed for a standard green water gun with a white trigger. Harmless, right? Well, a number of people are not thrilled they have to use a water gun to show they’re angry, and Fox News wasn’t impressed either.

https://twitter.com/BrianMediner/status/760480401316085760
https://twitter.com/JeremyRC1/status/760478275953012737
https://twitter.com/kylethale/status/760478140560838656
https://twitter.com/BeastLyons/status/760477568751509504

But not everyone is frustrated with the decision to make emojis more PC. Some even find some harmless humor in the whole situation:

https://twitter.com/Jokebot300/status/760479416162004993
https://twitter.com/PDbitchwork/status/760480764911882240

https://twitter.com/phobeeyuh/status/760481205347287040
https://twitter.com/vansciverju/status/760479842768945152

Somewhere lost in the gun emoji debate, people haven’t noticed how Apple released a whole new set of gender-diverse emojis. During this next set of updates, some of the new options include single parents, women in traditional male professions, female athletes and a rainbow flag. It may seem like a little step, but Apple has shows it has heard the cries from its customers and is slowly diversifying its emoji base.

(Via Apple & The Guardian)