The latest update to Apple’s operating system, iOS 10, will see a big change in the number and kinds of emojis available to its users. However, it’s one change that has people, from both sides, hyperventilating.
Apple is replacing it’s gun emoji with a water pistol.
This is apparently a result of a group that lobbied Apple for the change, reports Ars Technica…
A group called New Yorkers Against Gun Violence are claiming the change as a victory for their campaign, having lobbied Apple heavily to remove the pistol symbol “as a symbolic gesture to limit gun accessibility.” A representative for the charity told CNN: “Apple has stood up to the bullying tactics of the NRA and gun industry by showing that there are many more life-affirming ways to express oneself than with a gun.”
Here’s a video they produced on the subject…
Naturally, people on Twitter had very sane and logical reactions to the change of the gun emoji.
Just kidding! People went nuts, as usual.
Apple can change the gun emoji to a water pistol, I'll just send pictures of actual guns instead. #PussificationOfAmerica
— Pig the Dog (@SavageHellBeast) August 2, 2016
😅🔫 this is going to look ridiculous with a damn water pistol. Changing an emoji will not eliminate the gun control problem in the USA
— Kirsten Chicot (@KirstenChic) August 2, 2016
https://twitter.com/King_Cole_316/status/760463065552793601
@tim_cook Seriously? 🔫 I though adults bought Apple technology not 5 year olds! What next knives? Get a bloody grip. https://t.co/RSw604mR54
— Chris Ward ✨🌎🇬🇧🏡🖥 (@Chris_M_Ward) August 2, 2016
Why would they get ride of the pistol emoji🔫🔫🔫🔫 , guns r real people get over it
— greg (@greg_caldarone) August 2, 2016
FINALLY WE HAVE GUN CONTROL!
In #Murica it's easier to buy a real gun than it is to post a gun emoji! YES! WE! CAN!https://t.co/8UgQUZPyDd— Dr. Pablo Pistola (@drpablopistola) August 2, 2016
https://twitter.com/BrummelsJustin/status/760467296288550912
Just heard Apple is replacing the pistol emoji with a squirt gun. Someone please tell me they got that from The Onion
— Alli Bramlett Richards (@AlliBramlett) August 2, 2016
https://twitter.com/BrianMediner/status/760480401316085760
https://twitter.com/JeremyRC1/status/760478275953012737
https://twitter.com/kylethale/status/760478140560838656
https://twitter.com/BeastLyons/status/760477568751509504
Of course there are people that think that this change will make a “real difference” as well. Just kidding…
https://twitter.com/Jokebot300/status/760479416162004993
Apple changes gun Emoji to a water pistol. The terrorists and mass shooters never saw this coming. Game over suckers!
— Tony Lowe (@TonyLoweYoYoYo) August 2, 2016
And what about the bomb, knife and sword? #EmojiPolitics https://t.co/JqZI1vYKp2 pic.twitter.com/zJ6KbBuqbk
— Leah Harding (@via_LeahHarding) August 2, 2016
She does have a point.
Oh yeah, Apple also added over 100 other new and redesigned emojis including more gender options like new female athletes and professionals, but all we really care about is the gun emoji, right? Cool.