Some concertgoers are upset with Madonna for using fake guns on stage during her show in Denver, the Huffington Post reports.
The Material Girl has used guns in all of the stops on her MDNA tour, but her use of them in Colorado struck many as insensitive, given the theater shooting that took place in Aurora five months ago.
Just 36 hours after the shooting, Madonna performed in Scotland with her AK47 assault rifle and pistols, even after being warned by police not to use the props.
Scotland had its own massacre in 1996 when a a 43-year-old gunman entered Dunblane Primary School, armed with four handguns, and killed sixteen children and one adult before killing himself.
Graeme Pearson, a Labour Member of the Scottish Parliament, said, “It’s crass and insensitive and with Scotland’s own gun tragedy at Dunblane, she should have known better.”
A spokeswoman for Mothers Against Guns said after the Scotland concert, “Madonna and her dancers using replica guns was always in bad taste, but given what happened in Colorado, it is even worse. She should know better.”
Madonna tried to explain her use of guns in a tour “manifesto” that was obtained by Billboard.com. She wrote:
“It’s true there is a lot of violence in the beginning of the show and sometimes the use of fake guns – but they are used as metaphors.
I do not condone violence or the use of guns.
Rather they are symbols of wanting to appear strong and wanting to find a way to stop feelings that I find hurtful or damaging.”
9NEWS in Denver said they received several calls Thursday night and Friday morning from concertgoers who were offended at the 53-year-old singer’s use of guns and violence.
Do you think Madonna’s use of guns was offensive or insensitive?
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Ugh. I know I'm inciting the wrath of a million fans, but I can't stand Madonna! She's so desperate to stay in the press that she'll do anything to keep herself in the headlines, even something as insensitive as this. So over her!
Wow, someone else that's not a fan of Madonna!
Well, for the first time possibly ever, I have to disagree with you. First off, for no good reason at all, I totally love Madonna.
But also–did Denver cease the playing of Batman or other violent movies after Aurora? Have they closed down shooting ranges, or cancelled gun shows, or cut off other violence glorifying tv programs?? I doubt it, in fact-I'd bet violent ass batman played the very next day at all scheduled showings in Denver. Madonna had this dance all pre-planned long ago and before the shootings…and even though I personally think it's a stupid show set for her regardless…I also think this is just an example of "selective outrage".
Also, let's not forget, that I'd totally still do her!
She did the same thing in Norway too, around the anniversary of when Anders Breivik killed a ton of people.
Did she? I looked up similar incidents and only saw the Scotland one mentioned. Guess I didn't look hard enough!
Vanessa, I so agree with you. She is trying very hard to stay relevant, but her time has way since passed. I liked her back in the '90s, but now I think it's time for her to retire.
boo hoo, I'm going to cry cause madonna is using fake guns onstage. so sad that the shooter didn't use fake guns boo hoo….big friggin babies. id be more offended if they re opened ( or have ) the theater than fake guns onstage.
Jesse, the fact that the guns were used in the show despite the recent massacre, while distasteful and reeks of a bad judgement call, isn't even the biggest problem here that I see. The real issue is Madonna pretty much brushed it off and didn't even apologize to her fans in the audience for offending them. I'm mean, we're not talking about the media here, we're talking about people WHO CAME TO SEE HER that felt insulted. I'm an artist myself, so I get that an artist should be able to express them self, but would it be ok for a performer to come out and perform "Humpty Dumpty" in the nude at a play for children just because they are an artist and should have freedom to express themselves? Now while this example may have been a little extreme, my point is – there is a point in any right that you have where you can cross the line, and while her actions weren't criminal, as my example could be, she still went pass the point of good taste and responsibility as an artist. It's about respecting your audience and the people that keep you relevant, and normally I support the crazy stuff Madonna has done over here career, but this has gone a bit too far.
Well said Lamont! As a writer, I totally understand where you're coming from as an artist – I get that we have freedom of speech, and that her actions weren't illegal. But I do believe there's a responsibility there – just because we have the right to say whatever we want in the name of art, that doesn't always mean that we should throw good judgement to the wind and just do whatever pleases us. There's a line there, sensitivity for her surroundings should've been used. Thanks for saying that!