British actor Daisy Ridley has left Instagram after facing a barrage of online abuse following her recent post regarding gun–control in the United States.

Ridley was targeted after sharing a photo of herself at the 2016 Teen Choice Awards. At the awards show, Ridley had met a collection of young people affected by gun violence over the past couple of months and was moved to make a post inspired by it.

Her post read:
"Thinking about how lucky I am like......... Serious bit: as I sat in the audience yesterday tears were streaming down my face at the tribute to those that have been lost to gun violence. I didn't get a great picture of the incredible group that came on stage but they were so brave. It was a true moment of togetherness. We must #stoptheviolence."

This attracted unwanted attention from people who believed the 24–year–old was attacking the controversially lax gun–control policies of the USA. Ridley shut down her Instagram account and removed the post from Facebook, tired of having to defend herself online.

The actress has been an avid social media user for some time and has used Instagram in the past to talk about issues such as self–confidence and her recent struggles with endometriosis and polycystic-ovary syndrome.

Daisy Ridley will be reprising her role as Rey in Star Wars Episode VIII due for release December 2017