I am playing catchup with Canadian guns laws and slowly realized that we're pretty much screwed in terms of what is legal for home defense. Seems like a shotgun which you have to both quickly unlock and load is the only viable option, as any airgun pistol that meets the 5.7 joules limit is useless. I just wanted to check with everyone that i am correct regarding the airgun before i make my way into researching muskets, crossbows, bear spray and throwing hot potatoes as defense options.
Home defense airgun
- Thread starter Heimdude
- Start date
OkayShooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nova Scotia
Issue is an airgun it is still a firearm in the CC.
You never know when you'll get a craving for French fries and it takes a long time for the oil to heat up.
Redneck Hippy
Regular
Vaseline.
In Canada self defence is “legal” but in most cases you will be charged no matter what the method used to stop the threat. The ambiguity of the “reasonable force” clause means most police would rather press charges and let the courts decide. So then the process becomes the punishment for daring to challenge the state monopoly on violence. You will walk free, after 3 years in court, $10,000’s in legal fees etc.
so you need to decide if what you have is worth fighting for. If it is, you best equip yourself with the best tools available to you.
At least then, after the criminal(s) and state have ruined your life you can still hold your head up/ look your family in the eyes.
I am not a lawyer
The only case I remember locally where no charges were laid was a machete wielding home invader got tuned in by the homeowner with a baseball bat about 15 years ago
Good luck
In Canada self defence is “legal” but in most cases you will be charged no matter what the method used to stop the threat. The ambiguity of the “reasonable force” clause means most police would rather press charges and let the courts decide. So then the process becomes the punishment for daring to challenge the state monopoly on violence. You will walk free, after 3 years in court, $10,000’s in legal fees etc.
so you need to decide if what you have is worth fighting for. If it is, you best equip yourself with the best tools available to you.
At least then, after the criminal(s) and state have ruined your life you can still hold your head up/ look your family in the eyes.
I am not a lawyer
The only case I remember locally where no charges were laid was a machete wielding home invader got tuned in by the homeowner with a baseball bat about 15 years ago
Good luck
rajczak_kashka
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Surrey, B.C.
You are under the misconception that in Canada, firearms can be used for home defence. Obtaining and possessing firearms for personal or home defence is not a government accepted excuse for owning and possessing them. Hunting and target shooting are the only acceptable reasons for possession and use as well as livestock protection from predators for rural farmers ….
You are the one who is mistaken. You can't, say, go into your driveway and shoot someone trying to steal your car, but you have the legal right to use necessary force - up to and including deadly force - to prevent harm from an intruder inside your home.
Any air gun worth using is going to be PAL rated.
One thing to keep in mind is that ammo cannot be "readily accessible" to the firearm, unless the ammo is locked up, otherwise you're running afoul of gun storage law.
https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/sor-98-209/page-1.html#h-1019943
So add that to your list of headaches with regards to using a firearm for home defense.
Lol. The chretien crippler.
5 1c is open to interpretation to me.
I could be wrong, but to me…
Ammo stored separately does not need to be locked so long as it is not readily accessible to the firearm. The ready access means stored together, attached to or on-that requires secure storage.
5 1c is open to interpretation to me.
I could be wrong, but to me…
Ammo stored separately does not need to be locked so long as it is not readily accessible to the firearm. The ready access means stored together, attached to or on-that requires secure storage.
The only legal precedent I'm aware of decided an unlocked glove box was readily accessible to a gun in the trunk area of a hatchback, so I wouldn't be too quick to minimize how close it has to be. That said I can't tell you exactly what is or is not readily available.
For the home defense perspective, it means things like a shotgun with a side saddle loaded is something that could get you in trouble, depending how you store that shotgun. A lot of people don't realize this law even exists, I think because it's firearms storage law people get tripped up - technically ammo doesn't need to be locked up after all - but sometimes your gun will be illegal if it's not. So I like to make sure people are aware so they don't get caught by stupid technicalities if the worst does happen.
I think you're both correct but referring to different sections. If you need to defend yourself, any item around you can become a weapon of opportunity. If that happens to be a firearm, and the threat is proportionate to that force, perfect. But the purpose for acquiring that firearm cannot have been for 'home defense' because that is not a legally recognized reason for acquiring a firearm in Canada.
Non restricted firearms do not require a reason to acquire.
Also defense of person or others is literally one of the reasons you can get a restricted firearm. They'll basically never approve a transfer for that reason, but it's absolutely a legal reason to get one. The bureaucracy stopping you doesn't make it illegal.
https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/sor-98-202/FullText.html
They don't require a reason stated at time of purchase, the same way that restricted does. The reason for acquisition (of all your firearms) is stated when applying or renewing your PAL.
I don't exactly disagree with you - I totally understand where you're coming and to my knowledge there is no case law in regards to this ever going to court... but the reason for my comment is wanting to make sure no idiot reads this forum and makes a stupid statement to the cops while standing over the body of a home invader... and to be clear, any statement at that time would be stupid.
OkayShooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nova Scotia
Shot isn't. You must spelled sh!t.. bucksh!t.
Who ever breaks in my house will be running once 160lb of dogs start barreling down the old wooden stairs at mach 1. Almost sounds like someone falling down the stairs.
Last edited:
