CanCricket,

Don't stress about it. Find yourself a decent folder, put it in your pocket and carry it. Contrary to what some people will tell you, it is quite legal. I've not had a problem and I have been doing it for over 35 years. Just don't be a dick and you will be fine.

If this helps here are some things I use my edc knife for.

Slicing my apple.
Opening a bag of salt
Opening the crappy packaging on a new knife.
Or any of the other thousand and one life chores that require a sharp edge.

Hey jonesy, I just signed up for Krav Maga from the local IKMF-trained studio (I think there is only one around here). I observed a class and I am really looking forward to it - looks like fun! (and of course practical) lol

Just remember, in Krav Maga.... If you're not kicking a guy in the nuts, you're doing it wrong:)

Don't quit the drill or ask for time out until the instructor calls it!

Oh, and have fun!

Interesting case unfolding in Ottawa. These glove are available for anyone to purchase. It's not always what it is but what you do with it.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ottawa-police-reinforced-gloves-abdirahman-abdi-1.4018998

😉 Regarding the gloves, I am sure I am not the only prepper that thought hmmm..should I order these before they ban them?...

I can't see those gloves ever being banned. Gloves just like them are available all over Amazon for sale and aren't hugely expensive. They're aimed at cyclists, motorcyclists, and hunters. I would imagine that all police forces have them for their employees, not just the Ontario police. I think they're only coming under scrutiny because of that particular case.

I recommend you go to a shooting range that offers supervised "shoots" using their range guns, and try a few things. With that experience under your belt you can decide if you want to get a PAL licence for non-restricted long guns, or get that and also the RPAL licence for restricted firearms. It is important to note that restricted firearms can only go to an approved shooting range for use in Canada, so you need to be willing to buy the membership and go there to get sufficient trigger time (unless you already have the trigger time from past experience).
From there, consider dual purpose guns... a shotgun is great for defence with 00-buck and will put food on the table with other loads (slugs for a deer or birdshot for fowl).
A 22 rifle will get small game and while it doesn't have much stopping power for defence most people will go the other way once you start shooting them with it; not all though.
A higher power rifle is great for taking a deer and will work for home defence but you have a massive problem with over-penetration with that kind of round. You can shoot the bad guy, but also the person on the other side of the wall, the guy walking his dog outside.... etc. Not my first choice for home defence.

Cheers!

Take some firearms training if you have no experience. Not just the pals course but find a good instructor and spend some time on range. Any weapon you decide on, practice and training are a must. Like another poster said harden your home. As a Marine we trained daily,weekly,and monthly there is no substitute for the training. If the location you are planning on staying if shtf is weak and easy to penetrate, you will never defend it. That means you will be loosing all food,supplies, ect.

The choice of weapons to use is dependant on the situation. A Rifle or Shotgun is not the best choice to use inside the home. The law requires that you to use as much force as necessary, but as little as required. This assumes that you believe that your life (or the life of another) is in danger. The key to this is what is deemed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

Non-lethal devices such as Bear spray works well to incapacitate an intruder inside a home (who wants to discharge a Shotgun amongst your belongings?) This is relatively inexpensive, simple to use and no formal training or permits are required.

As far as a deterrent is concerned, a 12 Ga. Shotgun scares the Hell out of me (and as a Police tactical officer, I have been shot at by different calibers). At a short to moderate distance, the intruder is going to be hurt or killed and if capable of retreating will probably not wait around for the second shot. if it's pointed in their general direction chances are you'll clearly make your point. Not a lot of practice is required here. The idea is to deter not kill.

Another responder has listed the Remington 870 as his choice of shotgun (a fine weapon). I would add the Mossberg 500; which is manufactured for the U.S. Military and is MILSPEC. It is approximately 25% less expensive that the 870. Both are Magnum models (accommodating shells up to 3") and are available in a Marine version. I highly recommend this as they resist rust and corrosion. Unless you are into firearms, there is an advantage to not having to look after your weapons meticulously.

I love long guns and what long range shooting can bring to defence. Needless to say, this generally requires much practice and cost (or huge amounts of investment in digital shooting equipment). Unless you're using this for hunting, it's impractical for your purposes. Even for hunting no one rifle will fit the bill. Different calibers are used for different game,

This is what bugs me about Canada. I am at risk of someone attacking me, because unfortunately stuff like that happens. But I'm not allowed to carry anything that I could use to defend myself. I'd be hard-pressed, with the things I do in life, to come up with any kind of legitimate reason to carry a knife.

The key is to ensure that whatever you have on you, is not on you because you intend to use for self defence.

The law is not a good one, but it ain't changing anytime soon.

What are the rules for target practice with a Bow, Crossbow or Air Rifle.

Can these be used on private property ?

What are the rules for target practice with a Bow, Crossbow or Air Rifle.

Can these be used on private property ?

In general, yes...but you need to check local level regulations.
Many municipalities basically ban this with bylaws restricting their use within a certain distance of a residence.

What are the rules for target practice with a Bow, Crossbow or Air Rifle.

Can these be used on private property ?

Denob makes a good point. The Municipality may have a By-law against this. Generally speaking however, Police Officers don't enforce Municipal By-Laws (it's thought of as a chicken sh** charge, unless you've been an a**hole and they want to nail you with something). Chances are that a By-Law Enforcement Officer wouldn't become involved anyway. In most Municipalities that I'm aware of they work 9-5 M-F.

I had a guy that was drunk and firing a pellet gun at the neighbour's cat. I basically told him not to do that, his wife put him to bed and I left. On to more pressing matters. LOL

Not withstanding a specific By-Law, there's nothing wrong with using a Bow/Arrow or Pellet/BB gun on Private property. The Criminal Code addresses the discharge of firearms within a given distance of a residence (businesses don't apply). Depending upon your property size, this may even be permissible.

As always the rule of reasonableness and common sense rules. People have to be well clear of danger and your actions can't cause a public disturbance (the old lady across the road doesn't call the police because she mistakenly thinks that you are discharging a firearm and she fears for her safety). Just be discrete, be sure of your aim and backdrop and conduct yourself in a safe manner. You shouldn't have a problem.

Thanks - local Regs. something I definitely need to check up on + remember to not annoy the neighbors by shooting at their stuff. 😉

If you have access to Calibre magazine (i.e. at your local range), issue 4 vol 5 (most recent issue) has a good article by Eddie Banner which summarizes the legality (or lack thereof) of firearms and self-defence. I looked for an online version but could not find one.