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Eagles Of Death Metal frontman Jesse Hughes has made controversial comments about gun control, as they return to touring after the murder of 89 of their fans during the Paris terror attacks last year.
ISIS terrorists struck their gig at the Bataclan on Friday 13 November 2015, shooting killing 89 of the people in attendance - including merchandise seller Nick Alexander, who was given a posthumous award last month.
Now, as the band return to touring once again and before they play in Paris once again at the L'Oympia Theatre tonight (Tuesday 16 February), frontman Jesse Hughes has caused controversy calling for more people to have guns, during an interview with French TV station iTele.
"Did your French gun control stop a single fucking person from dying at the Bataclan?" sais Hughes. "And if anyone can answer yes, I’d like to hear it, because I don’t think so. I think the only thing that stopped it was some of the bravest men that I’ve ever seen in my life charging head-first into the face of death with their firearms."
The frontman went on: "I know people will disagree with me, but it just seems like God made men and women, and that night guns made them equal. And I hate it that it’s that way. I think the only way that my mind has been changed is that maybe that until nobody has guns everybody has to have them.
"Because I’ve never seen anyone that’s ever had one dead, and I want everyone to have access to them, and I saw people die that maybe could have lived, I don’t know... I wish I knew for sure if they could have had a better chance because there were some real angels, real wonderful people in that show that aren't alive today and I really wish they were."
Speaking of playing live again after their horriffic experience, Hughes added: "There's been just such an outpouring of support for us and love for us. It's overwhelming. I just don't want to let anyone down". "I think what we really need to do is just have fun together so that we can put some of this shit behind us and really leave it there so it doesn't follow us around for the rest of our lives."
MORE: Who are Eagles Of Death Metal? Why they represent the freedom of rock n' roll
The band made headlines with their heartbreaking first interview following the Paris terror attacks. They're also giving away free tickets to survivors of the Bataclan attacks.
Eagles Of Death Metal will be performing at Reading + Leeds Festival from 26 - 28 August. Also confirmed are the likes of Red Hot Chili Peppers, The 1975, Rat Boy, Courteeners and more. For tickets and information, visit here.
Their other Nos Amis upcoming tour dates are below. For tickets and information, visit here.
The Nos Amis Tour:
16/02/16 FRANCE Paris - Olympia
18/02/16 GERMANY Munich - Tonhalle
19/02/16 CROATIA Zagreb - Tvornica Kulture
20/02/16 HUNGARY Budapest - Akvarium
22/02/16 AUSTRIA Vienna - Arena
23/02/16 SWITZERLAND Zurich - Komplex
24/02/16 FRANCE Lille - Le Splendid
25/02/16 BELGIUM Brussels - Forest Club
27/02/16 ITALY Treviso - New Age
28/02/16 ITALY Turin - 10100
29/02/16 ITALY Rome - Orion
02/03/16 FRANCE Nimes - La Paloma TBC
03/03/16 SPAIN Barcelona - Apolo
04/03/16 SPAIN Madrid - Joy Eslava
05/03/16 PORTUGAL Lisbon - Coliseum
09/08/16 POLAND Katowice - Mega Club
11/08/16 DENMARK Copenhagen - Amager Bio
15/08/16 GERMANY Bremen - Aladin
16/08/16 GERMANY Cologne - Live Music Hall
