Weapons for Self-Defense in Canada

Maybe we should call it Prepper Spray !

Sorry but my last research on this had pepper spray as prohibited...

page 64 of Canadian Law and Self Defence

A list of the weapons prohibited by order of the Governor in Council as per S. 82 subsec. (d) of the “prohibited weapons” definition is located in the National Firearms Manual, appendix 9-1 available at the office of the Provin- cial Firearms Officer and is as follows:

Prohibited Weapons

• any device designed to be used for the purpose of injuring, immobilising or otherwise incapacitating any person by the discharge therefrom of
(a) tear gas, mace or other gas, or
(b) any liquid, spray, powder or other substance that is capable of injuring, immobilising or oth- erwise incapacitating any person;

• any instrument or device commonly known as “nunchaku,” being hard non-flexible sticks, clubs, pipes or rods connected by a rope, cord, wire, or chain;
• any instrument or device commonly known as “shuriken,” being a hard non-flexible plate having three or more radiating points with one or more sharp edges in the shape of a polygon, trefoil, cross, star, diamond or other geometric shape;
p64

• any instrument or device commonly known as “manrikigusari or kusari,” and any similar instru- ment or device, being hexagonal or other geometri- cally shaped hard weights or handgrips linked by a length or lengths of rope, cord, wire or chain :
• any finger ring that has one or more blades or sharp objects that are capable of being projected from the surface of the ring;
• the device known as Taser public defender being a gun or a device similar to a gun capable of injuring, immobilising or otherwise incapacitating a person by the discharge therefrom of darts or any other object carrying an electrical current or substance, or any other similar device;
• any device that is designed to be capable of injuring, immobilising or otherwise incapacitating a person or an animal by discharging an electrical charge produced by means of the amplification or accumu- lation of the electrical current generated by a bat- tery, where the device is designed or altered so that the electrical charge may be discharged when the device is of a length of less that 480 mm, or any other similar device;
• any device commonly known as a Crossbow, with a stock of 400 mm or less, or any other similar device;
• the weapon known as the “Constant Companion,” being a belt containing a blade capable of being withdrawn from the belt, with the buckle of the belt forming a handle for the blade;
• any knife commonly known as a Push Dagger that is designed in such a fashion that the handle is placed perpendicular to the main cutting edge of the blade;
p65

• any device having a length of less than 30 cm and resembling an innocuous object but designed to conceal a knife or blade, including the device com- monly known as the knife comb, being a comb with the handle of the comb forming a handle for the knife;
• and any other device similar to the device described as the constant companion, the push dagger, but not including the aboriginal “ulu” knife, and the knife comb.
• the device commonly known as a “Kiyoga Baton” or “Steel Cobra” and any similar device consisting of a manually-triggered telescoping spring-loaded steel whip terminated in a heavy calibre striking tip;
• the device commonly known as a “spiked wrist- band,” being a wristband to which a spike or blade is affixed or any similar device;
• the weapon commonly known as the “Yaqua Blow- gun” being a tube or pipe designed for the purpose of shooting arrows or darts by the breath, and any similar device;
• the device commonly known as a “Morning Star” and any similar device consisting of a ball of metal or other heavy material, studded with spikes and con- nected to a handle by a length of chain, rope or other flexible material;
• the device known as the “SSS-1 Stinger” and any similar device that consists of a single shot weapon of any calibre and is designed or of a size to fit in the palm of the hand or in a cigarette package and
• the device known as“Brass Knuckles”and any similar device consisting of a band of metal with finger holes designed to fit over the root knuckles of the hand.

While it is not illegal for a Canadianto arm himself for self defence with a weapon appropriate to the situation, he must not use a prohibited weapon, carry it concealed, impede, accost nor beg from anyone while wearing it nor wear it to a public meeting.

My attitude about arming yourself is not that it is good or bad but it may cause you more grief (and jail time) than you expect if you don't know the law: http://defendyourself101.ca/articles/about-knife-your-pocket

Ted
(please forgive my blatant self promotion! 🙂 )

Now for a quick mention of a weapon ignored for its value as a weapon, think of the cane - the invisible weapon.

Like i stated above and have seen at Canadian Tire and on multiple canadian army surplus stores ... "Bear" and "Dog" spray are legal in Canada. Bear and Dog spray have the same ingredients as police pepper spray, with less percentage of Capsaicin in it - I work for a police service in ontario, so i am privy to this type of info

Another option is Wasp spray, no regulations, squirts up to 20 ft and Bears and People do not like it sprayed in their faces.

...any liquid, spray, powder or other substance that is capable of injuring, immobilising or otherwise incapacitating any person;

If you notice, it is not the use on the the canister that counts, but its capabilities when it comes to humans.

The same applies to one-hand opening knives.

Both are illegal but not prosecuted unless you use it to rob someone. The cops know it is a dumb law, but if they want you, they got you.

If you grab your wasp spary or dog spray "on the run or by instinct" when faced with danger, you will not be charged, (usually), but it you tell a LEO you have it for self defence, it is a weapon and prohibited.

Ted

Like i stated above and have seen at Canadian Tire and on multiple canadian army surplus stores ... "Bear" and "Dog" spray are legal in Canada. Bear and Dog spray have the same ingredients as police pepper spray, with less percentage of Capsaicin in it - I work for a police service in ontario, so i am privy to this type of info

Dog and Bear Spray are Legal as you stated.

I bought a bottle of Bear Spray last year and had to sign a Legal Form and submit info from my Driver's License with it before I could purchase the Bear Spray.

When I questioned this new "wrinkle" I was informed that Dog and Bear Spray was being used in Muggings and Assaults so when one was used in the commission of a crime the RCMP would consult the records of purchases in order to help them quickly get the criminal off the streets.

As a law abiding citizen who deals with the RCMP almost daily as part of my employment I found this amusing and had no problem signing the forms and giving them the info they wanted.

I have no intension of ever using this stuff against another person unless I truly have no other choice and if I am ever forced to use it in order to protect myself, then getting charged with assault is a small price to pay, when its comes to protecting my life.

I completey agree, my life is definitly worth receiving an assault charge to protect. What province do you live in? I have never been asked to sign any forms or provide D/L info when purchasing dog/bear spray. That is interesting. Kind of crazy considering most criminals don't bother going in to buy things from the store to commit a robbery, they usually just use whatever is handy at their house. Then they make the purchases after the commit the robbery 😛

I completey agree, my life is definitly worth receiving an assault charge to protect. What province do you live in? I have never been asked to sign any forms or provide D/L info when purchasing dog/bear spray. That is interesting. Kind of crazy considering most criminals don't bother going in to buy things from the store to commit a robbery, they usually just use whatever is handy at their house. Then they make the purchases after the commit the robbery 😛

I grew up in Ontario, but recently relocated to Manitoba. Being required to sign legal forms when buying Bear Spray was new to me, but as a law abiding citizen, if thats what Manitoba wants me to do then I have no problem with it.

i have learned a lot from your topics...now i know that mostly of the defensive stuffs that are mainly used in home are also good in defense...keep it up guys..

One of the best self defence weapons most over looked and most often may even make trouble go away is a large well trained german sheppard , I have two ,I live in an aptment in a rather bad naborhood of Toronto (jane and finch) and I have never been bothered in the 6 years I have been here , even the dumbist of gangbangers with guns do not want a run in with a 120 pound dog let alone two and the dogs have some other benafits as well both are trained to carry packs (30lbs) each plus I get out to walk them there for I am healthier ,I sleep well at night (no worries about people kicking in the door to rob me) and I enjoy thier company and I am free to wander about my city parks .

Agreed, unitedsurvivalist!

I really do agree that using Pepper Spray can be used as a self defense when your life is in danger and you wanted to protect yourself from being harm of.

Below are just 2 examples of wpns that can be carried or left in a conveniet spot:

Telescopic Impact Baton (Police Batons) - LEGAL: - can be worn on belt, illegal if concealed (concealed wpn)
- must have it for another purpose other than self defense ie. walking dog (protection from other animals)
- when questioned must advise officers/court state you merely forgot to remove it from belt and that it was a weapon of convenience

"Pepper Spray" - Legal : - must be worn in plain view
- must have it for another purpose other than self defense ie for ppl in the north, bear spray is acceptable. For the southerners dog spray is acceptable for defense against other animals when walking
- when questioned by officers/court state it was a wpn of convenience

If anyone has any other suggestions pls add below!!

Really, the 2 which is Pepper Spray and Baton. What i know about the 2 is that only police carry those 2 while some women prefer also to carry a pepper spray just for protection or self defense. But thanks for the added knowledge. 😀 ➡ 💡