Anthony Richardson, a quarterback for the University of Florida, has decided to change his moniker and give up the name “AR-15” due to its association with gun violence.

Richardson announced that he will quit using the nickname and his branding would no longer include a logo with a scope reticle after giving it some serious thought and discussing with friends and family.

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The Gators player said in a statement posted to his Twitter–

“While a nickname is only a nickname, and ‘AR-15’ was simply a representation of my initials combined with my jersey number, it is important to me that my name and brand are no longer associated with the assault rifle that has been used in mass shootings, which I do not condone in any way or form.My representatives and I are currently working on rebranding, which includes the creation of a new logo and transitioning to simply using ‘AR’ and my name, Anthony Richardson.”

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Richardson, a freshman who shared playing time with Emory Jones in 2018, passed for 529 yards, six touchdowns, and five interceptions in seven games.

Considering that Jones moved to Arizona State earlier this year, Richardson is anticipated to start for Florida this season.

According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been 352 mass shootings in the US so far this year. 

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A worrisome surge in mass shootings, including those at a grocery in Buffalo, New York, an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, and a Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois, has once again called attention to America’s problem with gun violence.

Some of the bloodiest shootings in the US have involved AR-style guns, including those that occurred in Uvalde, Tulsa, El Paso, Parkland, San Bernardino, and Newtown.

The right to keep and bear arms is a fundamental right in the United States, protected by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution.