Marilyn Manson Issues Statement Regarding Onstage Fake Rifle Incident

Marilyn Manson returned to touring from his injury which he sustained earlier this year.
The singer/songwriter returned to the stage at Ozzfest Meets Knotfest on the 5th of November and entered the stage in a wheelchair while holding a fake rifle which he pointed towards the audience. The timing of this performance was merely hours after the mass shooting in a church in Sutherland Springs in Texas.

Following the mediastorm that occured after Manson’s stunt, he took to social media to explain his actions. Here’s what he shared:

“In an era where mass shootings have become a nearly daily occurrence, this was an act of theater in an attempt to make a statement about how easily accessible semi-automatic weapons are and how seeing them has become normalized. My art has always been a reaction to popular culture and my way to make people think about the horrible things that happen in this world. My performance was not meant to be disrespectful or show any insensitivity. 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.”