Slayer’s Tom Araya Addresses Gun Control Debate in Switzerland
The gun control debate is all over the news these days thanks to the mass shootings and terrorist actions going on not only in the U.S. but around the world. Some people think that the elimination of weapons will change things for the better, while others suggest that having everyone armed would also curtail the violence. During a show in Pratteln, Switzerland Monday night (June 27), Slayer frontman Tom Araya offered his opinion on the topic.
During a break in the action, Araya addressed the crowd. "Is it true that every household has to own a rifle or a gun? No? I thought everybody was supposed to have a rifle or a gun in their home. It's not right? How else are you gonna defend your country," started the singer.
He went on to add, "You should be able to protect and defend your country. That's the way it should be everywhere. 'Cause when you don't have anything to protect yourself or your fellow countrymen, what happens? People f--king die. They do! Don't they? Yeah. You can see it going on."
Continuing his thought, Araya stated, "I'm not gonna name names, but you can see what's going on in other countries. 'Cause they can't protect themselves. And that's what I'm talking about: being able to protect yourself and your fellow countrymen and your f--king country. I'm being serious, man. This isn't a f--king joke. You know, it really sucks to know that other people die, because you can't protect them. That f--king sucks."
The commentary came in the lead up to Slayer's performance of "Mandatory Suicide." You can see Araya sharing his thoughts and the performance of the song in the fan-shot video posted above.
Slayer are currently touring Europe and will only break for a July 21 show in San Diego. Another European leg kicks off in early August, and then the band will return stateside for a tour with Anthrax and Death Angel that begins in September. See all of their dates at the band's website.
Slayer's Tom Araya Discusses the Pros and Cons of Touring
Slayer's Tom Araya Plays 'Wikipedia: Fact or Fiction?'
See Where Slayer's Discs Landed on the Top 80 Hard Rock + Metal Albums of the 1980s
More From 95 Rock
![This Slayer + Wham! ‘Last Christmas’ Mash-Up May Cause Holiday Nightmares](http://townsquare.media/site/366/files/2019/12/slayer-tom-araya-wham-george-michael-angel-of-death-last-christmas-mash-up.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Slayer’s Tom Araya: Once We Take Care of Legal Issues, Then We’ll See What the Future Holds](http://townsquare.media/site/366/files/2017/07/Slayer_MSG_2017-1-3.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Ukrainian Zoo Unveils Glorious Statue of Slayer’s Tom Araya](http://townsquare.media/site/366/files/2015/06/Slayer-Mayhem-Festival-3343.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Slayer’s Tom Araya Gets Spat On, Audience Member Ejected at San Diego Show](http://townsquare.media/site/366/files/2015/04/Slayer-Tom-Araya.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Slayer’s Tom Araya: Jeff Hanneman Would Have Been Proud of ‘Repentless’](http://townsquare.media/site/366/files/2016/03/Tom-Araya_Slayer_Jeff-Henneman_Video-2_Thumb-v2-copy.png?w=980&q=75)
![Slayer Offer Tickets To Fan Who Spoofed Matthew McConaughey Car Commercial](http://townsquare.media/site/366/files/2014/10/Slayer-Tom-Araya.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Slayer’s Kerry King Gives Tour of His Snake Warehouse](http://townsquare.media/site/366/files/2014/10/Kerry-King-Snakes.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Slayer’s Tom Araya Explains Why There Haven’t Been ‘Big 4′ Shows Since 2011](http://townsquare.media/site/366/files/2013/11/982210354_VfzNR-L-L.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Slayer Frontman Tom Araya Elaborates on Drummer Dave Lombardo’s Exit From the Band](http://townsquare.media/site/366/files/2013/10/IMG_9826-copy-L.jpg?w=980&q=75)