Bataclan survivor and Eagles of Death Metal frontman Jesse Hughes had a lot to say about gun control and the survivors of the Parkland, Florida, shooting on Sunday—and all of it was overwhelmingly negative.
Hughes published a series of posts on Instagram—most of which have been deleted—outlining how he really feels about the current discussion about mass shootings and gun rights in the U.S. He has some experience on the matter.
Eagles of Death Metal were performing onstage at the Bataclan, a concert venue in Paris, when seven coordinated terrorist attacks unfolded throughout the city on Nov. 13, 2015. In the venue, 89 people were killed in a mass shooting. Since then, Hughes has been known to make incendiary remarks about the event—blaming France’s strict gun laws for the shooting and at one point saying the shooting was an “inside job.” He was allegedly refused re-entry when the venue reopened in 2016.
In one of the posts still online, Hughes shared an illustration of a woman telling a man, “I turned in my gun to do my part in ending violence,” to which he replies, “I chopped off my own dick to stop rape.” He also included a lengthy caption attacking the Parkland survivors and accusing them of exploiting the deaths of their classmates.
“Obviously….The best thing to do to combat chronic abusers and disregarders of the law(like the law against Murder) is to……..pass another Law,” he wrote. “Genius!!!…… but before we pass this law we’re going to denigrate the memory and curse ourselves by exploiting the death of 16 of our fellow students for a few Facebook likes and some media attention….and look how well civil rights abuses as it concerns firearms helped to protect me and my friends in Paris!”
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bgu6ENQAZL6/?utm_source=ig_embed
In a deleted post, according to the Guardian, Hughes also shared a Photoshopped image of student protester Emma González supposedly ripping a copy of the U.S. Constitution in half—which has been debunked as a bad, Photoshopped meme.
“The Awful Face Of Treason,” Hughes wrote. “Survivor of Nothing….Lover of Treason…..enjoy your little moment…..it’s about to End…… #stupidity #hatersofliberty #loversofsatan #borntolose #2ndamendment”.
A third, deleted post, contained two images: an illustration of a bottle of pills labelled “Hard to Swallow,” and an image of a hand holding three pills, each bearing a caption: “Our guns aren’t going anywhere,” “There are only 2 genders,” and “Donald Trump will be your president for 7 more years.” In the caption, Hughes promised “moronic dingdong headed losers” that he would report any threats made against him to the FBI.
In a fourth, deleted post, Hughes shared a photograph of a pro-second amendment patch.
“I can tell you right now that the actions of these misguided youth and evil communists is making me feel terrified,” he wrote. “With every broadcast of a willing and complicit press I feel the wall of security that the Constitution provides being taken down bit by bit.”
In a final post that has not been deleted—but was posted after he deleted the other posts—Hughes said he plans to create a new Instagram account dedicated to his political views, in an effort to make his current account his “rock n roll” one.
“I’ve made a rule and my musical life that everyone should check their politics at the door…… i’ve always believed in the motto I may not agree with what you’re saying but I’ll die for your right to say it,” he wrote. “Saddens me to see so many not have this motto for the same….. but this is my Instagram for Rock’n’Roll and I think I’m going to keep it that way….. i’m going to start a second Instagram for where I shall put my political beliefs…. I love every lover of Rock’n’Roll and And every lover of Rock’n’Roll is welcome here check your politics at the door and I’ll start with myself.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bgxbxoog__c/?utm_source=ig_embed
Hughes has not yet released the information for his new Instagram account.