Marilyn Manson turns fake rifle on audience in ‘act of theatre’ hours after Texas shooting

Manson said the stunt was “not meant to be disrespectful or show any insensitivity”
Controversial: Marilyn Manson on stage in San Bernardino
Splash News
Emma Powell7 November 2017
The Weekender

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Marilyn Manson has defended his use of a fake rifle on stage in the wake of the mass shooting at a Texas church, saying it was a political statement.

The US singer, 48, sparked outrage when he was wheeled onto the stage at Ozzfest Meets Knotfest wielding a fake gun with a microphone for a scope which he turned on the crowd.

In a statement, Manson called the stunt an “act of theatre” before apologising to those who have “been affected by the irresponsible and reprehensible misuse of REAL guns”.

He said: “In an era where mass shootings have become a nearly daily occurrence this was an act of theatre in an attempt to make a statement about how easily accessible semi-automatic weapons are and how seeing them has become normalised.”

Defending himself: Marilyn Manson said he did not intend to be insensitive
Splash News

He said his art has “always been a reaction to popular culture” and his way of making “people think about the horrible things that happen in this world”.

He said his onstage stunt in San Bernardino, where 14 people were killed in a 2015 shooting, was “not meant to be disrespectful or show any insensitivity”.

He finished: “The prop microphone I used on stage was handed to me with the approval of a police officer. My empathy goes out to anyone who has been affected by the irresponsible and reprehensible misuse of REAL guns.”

Manson’s stunt came hours after ex-airman Devin Kelley killed 26 people and injured another 20 when he attacked a small church outside San Antonio, Texas, on Sunday.

The performance marked Manson’s first since his leg was shattered by a falling stage prop, shaped like two guns, when he attempted to climb a pole halfway through his rendition of Sweet Dreams at a gig in September.

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