Madonna faces outrage for brandishing gun in Denver so soon after Batman massacre

Madonna uses a gun as part of a dance routine on her MDNA tour (Getty Images)

Madonna's 'MDNA' tour has sparked a new round of controversy after fans in Colorado complained when she brandished a gun onstage in the state so soon after the Aurora massacre.

In July, a gunman shot 12 people dead during a midnight screening of the new Batman film, The Dark Knight Rises.

Last night Madonna, 53, started her show at the Pepsi Centre in Denver with a gun scene which she has used in previous performances and which drew complains in London and Edinburgh.

The star's actions were seen by some fans as insensitive in light of the recent tragedy. KUSA-TV said today it received several calls from concert-goers saying they were offended she used guns and violence as part of her.

James Holmes, 24, is accused of building an arsenal of four guns and 6,000 rounds of ammunition, rigging his apartment with a booby-trap bomb, and then setting out to a midnight showing of the new Batman movie with the intention of killing as many people as possible.

Madonna's tour has faced a barrage of criticism around the world: she is facing legal action from France's National Front for using an image of extreme right-wing leader Marine Le Pen with a Swastika on her forehead.

She is also being sued by anti-gay activists in Russia for allegedly encouraging gay sex between minors at a show in St Petersburg. Lawyers are seeking millions in 'moral damages' after she called on Russians to respect gay rights and passed out pink bracelets to the audience.

In Edinburgh over the summer Madonna defied a gun ban imposed by police and brandished an AK47 onstage regardless. She also got into trouble for flashing a nipple in Istanbul.

Madonna and her agent could not be reached for comment.