Legal Weapons in Canada

For the average citizen, there are non-restricted (most rifles) and restricted (certain rifles, all handguns). The laws on weapons are federal, governed by the Criminal Code & RCMP Firearms regulations. You need a PAL or RPAL license, but there is no gun registration. I don't know what type of firearm you are looking for, and what you are looking to use it for (hunting, gun range, etc), or where you will live (urban/rural), so your best bet is to check out the RCMP info: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/information/residents/index-eng.htm

Knives are fine, although there are some prohibitions, like switchblades, brass knuckles, the knives concealed in belts, etc. I would suggest searching to see if the Criminal Code mentions the ones you are interested in. The focus is typically on your obvious intended use of the device and the context, rather than it's straight legality or illegality, i.e if you're licensed with a PAL and walking around the bush with your rifle, or protecting livestock, fine. If you're picking up your kid at a suburban school with the rifle slung over your shoulder, that would probably cause some problems. Same with pepper spray/bear spray. Some you can buy in person, but not online as they will not ship it. Also, there are some weapons that are not prohibited by name, but if used toward another human in a dangerous fashion, that could be considered illegal.

Honestly, my plan would be to keep them stored at home, hopefully never using them at all. I would figure out how to use them, then stick them in a closet, for use only is the world completely fell apart or to take out for periodic cleaning & inspection.

Touchy topic because in Canada, even defending oneself can land people in serious troubles. Even though trials processes have historically led to acquittals, the defendant usually is left with 10s of $1000s in legal fees.

Firearms like shotguns have been proven to be excellent deterrent just by the sight of it in the hands of homeowner during break and enter. You can buy very small shotguns legally in Canada (canadaammo.com or ca? - check the dominion grizzly). Paired with 00 buckshot make for a terrific man stopper in close quarters if it ever was needed. Downside of shotguns is that ammo is heavy and bulky so it is difficult and inconvenient to carry spare ammo.

Rifles make for good survival firearms as they can also be used in hunting. A small caliber .22 is easy to practice with and large amounts of ammo can be purchased and carried around since it is inexpensive and light. Many would argue that a .22 isn't a good defense gun but I think most people would consider retreating when facing a gun, getting shot, regardless of caliber, likely sucks.

I would stay clear if handguns for a few reasons. They need a lot more practice for proficiency and the fact they are restricted- and therefore registered - draws unwanted attention on yourself.

Bear spray is legal to own but illegal to use against someone. Then again, so is break-and-enter. So someone complaining about getting sprayed to the police after illegally entering a property is like a drug user calling the police because his dealer gave him bad stuff: it makes no sense.

Maybe also consider those really bright "tactical" flashlights. They would effectively blind an intruder and give you the upper hand for your next self defense move.

Thanks, helicopilot. You actually raise a really good point at the end there, which I also need to work on: self-defence. Working on that aspect of security would also be a very smart move.

The best defense is a good offense. Before you spend money on defending against an intruder inside your home, spend money on keeping them out in the first place. Have you given sufficient thought, effort and money into hardening your home and property?

As far as guns there are lots of options. If I had to pick one it would be the Rem 870. That's my personal opinion, YMMV. Without a plug in the tube, you can stuff in enough shells to take care of most miscreants. Don't buy any firearm unless you intend to practice practice and practice with it. 3am with a crackhead in your upstairs hallway isn't the first time you want to be learning to cycle your action. Also make sure the gun will work/fit for whomever may use it.

Some people keep an aluminum T-ball bat around for exercise purposes. Similar to the old style indian club. I'm sure in a pinch this would make an excellent melon basher were someone to enter your dwelling intent on doing you harm.

I carry a knife in one form or another pretty much all the time. It's a handy tool for opening boxes, whittling etc. I NEVER carry it with the INTENT of using it for protection. That is illegal where I live. Of course if you are in a life or death situation fighting off an attack, any tool such as a knife or perhaps a screwdriver may safe your life.

Practice situational awareness.

Spend some time thinking about the messy psychological aspects of self defense.

Learn about the OODA Loop.

Legalese Read sections 34 & 35
http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-46/page-6.html#h-9

I second the comments here on practicing. Not only do you need to develop proficiency & muscle memory, but a gun that is never used is one that is likely to jam, get rusty or dirty. Triggers can have varying feels, some models are fussy about certain ammo or have tricky magazines - Scrounger is right, 3 am is not the time to find this out. If you do some regular practice, you will be a much safer and calmer gun owner, even considering the extra stress/panic in a situation where you were defending yourself. I live in an urban/suburban area so I decided to go to a small-bore gun range weekly all year-round, as the larger-bore ranges are too far out for me and only only 2 or 3-season. I only have .22s, but I think in the zombie apocalypse, even that, compared to no rifle, would make an intruder think twice. Many people cannot tell the caliber of a rifle by looking quickly at it, anyhow.

I tend to place self defense with a gun lower on the list of gun activities. It's there, but other avenues interest me more. They are fun to shoot. Hunting is a great way to get outdoors and get more trigger time. i also enjoy the historical aspect of shooting certain guns.

Not all of your gun handling skills need to happen at the range. There are lots of drills you can practice without live ammo. Load/reload and clearing a jam are two that come to mind.

Here is a link to an article on procedural memory. Gives you an idea why those drills pay off when you are under stress.

https://www.verywell.com/implicit-and-explicit-memory-2795346

I feel the self defense/gun conversation is an important one to have. But for me, living in Canada there are other "prepping" activities that I generally give more weight to. I find that is reflected in this forum.

I would love to learn how to hunt. But it's a hard thing to get into when you've lived your entire life not being a hunter and don't know anyone who hunts. I haven't found a 'learn how to hunt' course yet! 🙂 Even looking at the one gun range that exists in my area, there are a lot of rules and regulations that exist to use their range; I have to admit that I couldn't understand some of what they were talking about and it really put me off going there. I do wish that hunting or shooting courses existed for complete beginners who have zero experience with that kind of thing.

Even looking at the one gun range that exists in my area, there are a lot of rules and regulations that exist to use their range; I have to admit that I couldn't understand some of what they were talking about and it really put me off going there. I do wish that hunting or shooting courses existed for complete beginners who have zero experience with that kind of thing.

I can't speak much about hunting, but form a gun range perspective, I totally understand the overwhelming feeling of turning up at a range when it's occupied by cliques of friends. With that said, once you break the ice - even by announcing that you're a newly and you want to learn - you'll be surprise by how friendly most of the people are. You'll hear "hey, do you want to try my new _______?" and you'll be able to get tricks and tips from everyone.

The best comparison I can think of is turning up at a gym. Lots of rules there too and interesting jargons. Guys with big muscles lifting 30000 lbs off the floor are quite intimidating. But if you go to them and say "Hi, would you mind showing me how that machine works?" they are usually very keen to bring someone in their folds (or is it cult?!?). Anyway, gun ranges are like that too.

I would love to learn how to hunt. But it's a hard thing to get into when you've lived your entire life not being a hunter and don't know anyone who hunts. I haven't found a 'learn how to hunt' course yet! 🙂 Even looking at the one gun range that exists in my area, there are a lot of rules and regulations that exist to use their range; I have to admit that I couldn't understand some of what they were talking about and it really put me off going there. I do wish that hunting or shooting courses existed for complete beginners who have zero experience with that kind of thing.

Try finding a fellow prepper in your area to get you started in hunting .

My gun club runs courses for shooting & hunting. Many of the club members are happy to observe you & give tips, or make arrangements to come in early to give you help. Many of them are hunters, too. Sometimes courses are not advertised to non-members, but you could ask. I was a total newbie, despite having lived most of my life in Alberta with ranching & military friends. The RCMP PAL course was a good intro and the people that teach it have a million connections - they would know who teaches what. Another option is to contact the Provincial Firearms Officer - you are in BC right?: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/cfo-caf/index-eng.htm Or find a gun show near you and ask around - the ones I've been to always advertise a few courses. Yes, it's a bit intimidating, but sometimes you've gotta suck it up 🙂 Or you could look into street martial arts, like Krav Maga. I plan to learn that this spring from a local IKMF instructor.

You are correct, it can be hard to learn these things when you are new at the range, or the store or the woods.. the ideal is to find someone that will teach you, and I liked all the tips and idea's that everyone gave you

Having said that, I am going to do the other way for second.. I can not tell you how many times I have been given bad advice over the years, I tend to let folks ramble away, and I can honestly say that at least 50% of the time, they are full of it..

Sorry, that's not nice but its fair more true then not.. and you will not know it until you are in the bush, at the river or trying to repeat what they say can be done..

So, I am going to say listen, spend the time and then get out there and learn yourself.. pick the area you want to learn in.. get a good field guide book for plants and animals and a good tracking book and even a good mushroom book.. and go out into the woods, fill that pack, learn to walk quiet, learn to sit still, learn to listen to the woods, the birds, learn to figure out how sounds come at you.. watch and learn trials and tracks, pick a mushroom and leave to spot shapes, movement, colors, learn out to see patterns in the bush and so much more..

I remember my father saying to me.. you want to spot the deer, you need to learn the bush pattern first, learn how to find the trails, learn how to listen to the birds and so forth.. you can practise with your rifle lots and you should (I agree with those on that) but no one can truly teach you how to hunt.. its a learned skill

While its nice to have others help on this, its not required, you can learn this skills in many ways before you ever need to apply them to hunting season.

Well said....and agree completely. We had simular fathers! And about being mislead by bad advice or personal opinions, my dad use to say...learn by doing-don't take someone's word for the only way it can be done!
And he'd add
"Opinions are like *ssholes...everyone has one!"