Apple is dumping an emoji that depicts a realistic-looking revolver and replacing it with a brightly coloured toy water pistol.
The tech giant is releasing some new emoji images for iPhone and iPad users who use the cartoonish icons when they send messages.
They'll be available this northern autumn with iOS 10, the next major revision of Apple's mobile software.
Other new emoji will depict women in athletic and professional roles, as well as a rainbow flag.
Gun-control advocates had urged Apple to dump the handgun emoji.
It's also drawn controversy in cases where students used it in ways perceived as threatening. The water pistol may still look like a real pistol, however, to recipients who view the message on a non-Apple device.
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