Weapons for Self-Defense in Canada

Sorry correction. I have the 2 brightness one.

http://www.surefire.com/E2DL

Costco has some pretty good lights like that but they use 3 AAA batteries. 100 and 140 lumens on bright plus a strobe function.
3 pack was under $50. Great value, no decent belt clip though.
That and a cheap one hand open razor knife from CT are my EDC but I stay out of bad situations.
If you get in trouble you're usually in a stupid place(bad area) or doing stupid things(face locked on your phone-no SA), usually with stupid people.

I'm a retired infantry soldier. Before I joined the army I was a martial arts instructor. In the army I taught wilderness survival classes and my last four years I was the infantry and security advisor for the RSM of the Brigade Headquarters and Signals Squadron. For most of my adult life I have worked partime as a doorman in many different bars. Conservatively speaking, I have been in well over 400 fights not counting those in the ring.
ALL of my training and experience has taught me that when it comes to self-defence your two greatest assets are "situational awareness" and "decisiveness of action". Situational awareness we've all heard of. By decisiveness of action, I mean that as soon as you realize the other guy has bad intentions, don't hesitate, hit first, hit fast and hit hard. I have done this more than once and in all the fights I have been in, I have only been charged with assault twice. Both times, after the court learned of my experience and training the charges were dismissed. Because of my training and experience I was able to show the court that I knew, without a doubt, that an attack was imminent and so I was no longer considered the instigator and it became a case of self-defence.
The point here though, is that your best weapons are "situational awareness" and "decisiveness of action". Without those, you can be armed to the teeth and you are still a victim.

Excellent post Tazweiss

Nice summary Tazweiss, lets all face it. it's a dog eat dog world. Those that mean to do us harm watch us first. They read you, and size you up. Simple things like looking around and knowing whats going on around you are paramount. Situational awareness as above.

Tazweiss says he has credentials...maybe he is who he says he is, maybe he is not. But his advice, unlike some members here does stand up consistently with what I hear from those who hold similar positions and from the professional materials I've read. But you don't have to take his word for it either:

http://www.amazon.ca/Principles-Personal-Defense-Jeff-Cooper/dp/0873644972

A very shot simple but incredibly valuable book on self defense that can be summarized as a treatise on the following traits required to successfully defend oneself:

Alertness: Be aware of your surroundings and mindful of those around you. Be observant, both to avoid incidents, and to have time to react when forced to. The best fight is the one you avoided altogether.
Decisiveness: Your action must be decisive because the longer a fight goes on, the greater your chances of getting hurt or killed. Don't threaten to shoot someone and wait to see their reaction. If your going to run, run if your going to shoot shoot.
Aggressiveness: Nothing is too extreme if you are defending your life. Don't fight fair...fight and fight hard. Go for the single most debilitating counterattack you have at your disposal. Don't give the person the opportunity to escalate.
Speed: Like the OPP say, speed kills. Use it. He who laughs first laughs last.
Coolness: don't panic, keep your wits. Remember your training,
Ruthlessness: No mercy for an attacker, don't try to wound or disable them. A wounded or caged animal is all the more dangerous. End the threat with extreme predjudice.
Surprise: Never let them see it coming. Eliminate tells; don't let them know what you are going to do before you do it. Don't try to scare away someone with the shuck-shuck of a shotgun because you lose the element of surprise and give the attacker time to adjust.

Think of this as a checklist for any defensive action your are training/prepping for. Think of a scenario and plan out your actions. Compare you plan to this list. With the right mindset you are the weapon and what you use is the tool. With the wrong mindset, your just a tool with a weapon. Owning a weapon makes you armed like owning a guitar makes you a musician.

Mr. Momo, what you say about my credentials is right. In this forum there is no way of proving your credentials and I'm not inclined to argue mine. All I can do is offer sound, reasoned advice and ideas based on what I know. Not everything I say is going to suit everyone and only a fool would believe that it should. There is no end all, be all type of defence that will fit every situation. People will have to take anything I say and look at it in the context of their own needs. If it fits, use it. If not then disgard it.
I haven't seen the book you talk about but the principles you quote are on the money. Except for the point about speed, there I have to disagree, "He who laughs first is too busy laughing to see the attack coming". But I get the point. There are a lot of excellent sites and excellent books out there. If you can't afford classes or to attend a good school, build up a good library. Knowledge and the right attitude can see you through rough times as much as food storage can.

Is gun, pepper spray or knife prohibited in Canada for self defense?

__________________________
Couzin Ed: Yeah, the rock makes it feel so good!
Lazlow - V-Rock: Im touching myself.
Couzin Ed: Speaking of which, after losing my pinky, Ive mastered my butterfly knife which is the pinnacle of reckless living. My face in roast beef!

Is gun, pepper spray or knife prohibited in Canada for self defense?

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It is illegal to keep a loaded firearm in your house or vehicle and it is illegal to carry a firearm in public. In your home or vehicle your gun must be locked up and separate from your ammunition. If you have an intruder and you remove your gun from its lockup then take the time to load it in order to shoot said intruder, you need to have the number for a good lawyer.
Police officers who carry pepper spray are well trained to use it, at the end of their training they are sprayed themselves. Pepper spray can be a very effective, less-lethal, weapon for self-defence. I would suggest you contact your local authorities before purchasing pepper spray. One downside to pepper spray is that an errant wind gust can become very unpleasant and inconvenient.
If you plan to carry a knife, then you should first contact a reputable self-defence school in your area. Even expert knife fighters have had their weapon taken away and turned on them. If you use a knife to defend yourself, there will be blood, and don't be surprised if some of it is yours.
Any weapon has its advantages and disadvantages, both legal and physical. Don't just pick a weapon and assume that you're good to go. Learn the weapon before you attempt to use it. In the end, no weapon is prohibited as long as it is legally purchased and you can prove that it was used in self-defence.

Be sure to test your pepper spray so you know how to use it. I did this once and the slight wind did shift , and yes I pepper sprayed myself:( It hurts.....

Hey all, first time poster and just found out today Im a prepper....never heard the term before...but just reading that is exactly what I am.

Had to comment on this section...nothing is legal to carrying in 'self defence'...simple as. As soon as you leave the house with an item intended to be used in 'self defence' you are commiting a crime. An expandable batton and pepper spray are out, so forget it. Bear spray and knife are all good to carry, because they have other uses...make sure the knife has a folding blade then blade length is not an issue, is not gravity operated or automatic, and the Bear/ Dog spray says 'Bear spray' on it. Bear Spray is about three times more potent than the new, improved dye pepper spray the police now carry and will drop a person in seconds. I live in a rural location and when my wife goes running she always takes a can for any 'dogs' that might attack her.

In my honest opnion get a gun licence and buy a decent shotgun or rifle....practice (on the range) every now and again to keep your shot and leave it at home with a lock on it when not 'training'. Buy lots of ammo, and circulate when you train. Use the oldest ammo for training and above all keep the bloody thing sparkling clean...especially the feed ramp on a rifle.

Most importantly get yourself mental prepared...Ok, i Know your all carrying these items to defend yourselves and your loved ones, but get yourself in the frame of mind you might actually have to hurt or kill another human being...point in case: Ive been in firefights where trained soldiers have failed to pull the trigger on ememy combatents because humans are programed it's 'wrong to kill'. They always get it right the second time though hen they've had time to mull on the fact they nearly died (if they get that chance!!!)

Good luck!

carbon04, when were you in afghanistan?

never, thank god....Northern Ireland back in the early 90's, British Military....and went spec ops for a couple of years, worked all over the world...loved it...got mates out in Afghanistan, spec ops and ex spec ops working private contracts and its a battle we can't win...so i'm happy im out of it. hats off to those who've done a tour though!!!

never, thank god....Northern Ireland back in the early 90's, British Military....and went spec ops for a couple of years, worked all over the world...loved it...got mates out in Afghanistan, spec ops and ex spec ops working private contracts and its a battle we can't win...so i'm happy im out of it. hats off to those who've done a tour though!!!

I was there in '06, I worked with Brit spec ops a couple of times. Nearly bought it the first time. Unlike some of the military over there, the Brits were professional. I'd work with them again anytime.

never, thank god....Northern Ireland back in the early 90's, British Military....and went spec ops for a couple of years, worked all over the world...loved it...got mates out in Afghanistan, spec ops and ex spec ops working private contracts and its a battle we can't win...so i'm happy im out of it. hats off to those who've done a tour though!!!

I was there in '06, I worked with Brit spec ops a couple of times. Nearly bought it the first time. Unlike some of the military over there, the Brits were professional. I'd work with them again anytime.

yes mate, can't comment on the state of things in 2006, but in 92 it was bad. i was three days before my first contact...18 years old. best training ground in the world though...miss it...good times 🙂