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Defensive Tool choices for Canada and New York State?

4K views 45 replies 31 participants last post by  Captain Crunch 
#1 ·
Soon, we'll be heading out for a drive through Canada to New York state, then back to stay in Niagara Falls, Canada. Obviously my tools of choice are staying home.

Anyone know what tools are legal in both place, or can I safely assume that defense of self and family are effectively outlawed in both locations?
 
#2 ·
I'd take a good sturdy cane...regardless of physical need. That's about all Canada would allow.

Stay armed...use your cane...stay safe!
 
#3 ·
If you're going to ride the bus in Canada, I'd take a nice sturdy metal collar.

Seriously though, I don't know if knives or OC are legal to take across the border. You should definitely check it out, you don't want to be stuck at the border.
 
#4 ·
You could probably carry a knife, not sure of the laws you'll have to check them out. But knives don't stop bullets very well.

A cane swung like a helicopter over your head can confuse the attacker, it might allow you to get the jump on them, great idea Ret.
 
#18 ·
You could probably carry a knife, not sure of the laws you'll have to check them out. But knives don't stop bullets very well.

A cane swung like a helicopter over your head can confuse the attacker, it might allow you to get the jump on them, great idea Ret.
Guns don't do a very good job of stopping bullets either unless you melt them down into a suit of armor. :rofl:
 
#5 ·
I'm not sure how good it is, but I found a site that has a bunch of information:

A Practical Guide to Canada's Gun Laws for Americans

It seems to say that pepper spray is illegal unless you have it to use on vicious animals.

Pepper spray is legal if it is intended for use on vicious animals, and is a prohibited weapon if intended for use on vicious humans. On the other hand, if you carry it to protect yourself from vicious animals, and are attacked by a vicious human, it is legal to use it on that vicious human. It doesn't have to make sense, it is government policy.
 
#6 ·
In Canada you can carry Pepper spray only to defend yourself against animals. You can use it on people if attacked but you can only carry it for use on animals.

So if asked it is to defend against dogs, bears or geese.

I would get an Unbreakable Walking-Stick Umbrella I'm saving up the $180 for it.
 
#7 ·
Here is a good source directly from the Canadian government:

FAQs - Import/Export

Q. Is pepper spray allowed in Canada?

Criminal Code Regulations prohibit Mace and similar products designed to injure, immobilize or incapacitate a person. Bear sprays and similarly devices clearly designed for protection from wild animals are allowed.
This is the import/export FAQs, so apparently you can bring a large canister of pepper spray across the border.

Edit: New York requires that you buy pepper spray from either a pharmacist or a firearms dealer, and you need a form from LEO...

http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/menugetf.cgi?COMMONQUERY=LAWS

Before delivering a self-defense spray device to any person, the
licensed or authorized dealer shall require proof of age and a sworn
statement on a form approved by the superintendent of state police that
such person has not been convicted of a felony or any crime involving an
assault. Such forms shall be forwarded to the division of state police
at such intervals as directed by the superintendent of state police.
 
#11 ·
Thanks, I'll have to find some pepper spray that someone labeled for bears.

I wonder if that new york law applies to purchases only, or if possession of something already owned has to be registered?
 
#13 ·
New York Law concerning pepper sprays.

• You must be over the age of 18.
• You must have no history of felony convictions or assaults.
• Product must be purchased from an authorized dealer, pharmacy or gun dealer.
• You must complete a form with your name, address, birth date and signature.

CANNOT BRING INTO NEW YORK FROM ANOTHER STATE
CANNOT PURCHASE THROUGH THE MAIL
CANNOT GIVE TO A MINOR.

NO NOTE FROM A LEO IS NEEDED.

Almost all stores that sell guns and ammo sell the sprays.

You just fill out the form and make your purchase.
 
#15 ·
You can buy bear spray while you're up here. That way you wouldn't raise any eyebrows coming north across the border.
"Any weapons to declare?" "No" "Not yet (inside voice)":image035:
 
#17 ·
Screw drivers, wrench, tire iron, and more



Almost anything can be used as a weapon with a little imagination.

Since you are driving, you can keep a screw driver in the console or on the floor. Maybe take a wrench. How about a can opener---like the ones they used to use on beer cans before pop tops; sharpen the edge.

If you go into an ornament store that sells flowers and leaves made of metal as decorations, sharpen the tips and the edges and bring a bouquet. Shishkabob skewers, even wooded ones.

A "broken" lamp with the bub shattered, gives you a nice glass edge to swing at face and eyes. An old piece of one by two with some nails; left over from a home repair project if asked.

What about an aerosol can with a volatile solvent--even Hornet and Wasp spray might work to get a couple seconds edge and burn some eyes. (Haven't tried it so it might be a dud.)

91% isopropyl (a few cents at Walmart) and a BIC.

Use your imagination and use ordinary items that you might reasonably have in your car or on your person without drawing attention.
 
#19 ·
I live in NY and have an unrestricted CCW but NY laws are practically Canadian in their scope and intent. All the protections in the laws favor the criminal. NY is hopeless, just as our neighbor to the north is. You can't even hurt someones feelings in Canada without facing some sort of charges, and NY isn't too much different. My advice, take a vacation somewhere else. Maybe a good sensible "red" state.

BTW: I live about a 5 minute drive from the Canadian border.
 
#22 ·
But you spend all of your money in an anti-state?

Anyway, Niagara Falls are truly spectacular as well as Letchworth "The Grand Canyon of the East" State Park in NY. I'm not ecstatic about giving them money, but I haven't found comparably spectacular vacation destinations that I can afford. Kids have NEVER been on a vacation, other than an overnight at seaworld. Now we can afford a little something, so off we go. Niagara is just a 4 hour drive.
 
#23 ·
When I drove into Niagara Falls the Canadian customs girl asked if I owned any firearms. I guess they just assumed I did since the Georgia tag on the car must scream armed yokel to them. I did smile and tell her yes I do. She asked if I had any with me, and I replied no. She said if I did they would keep them at the border and I could pick it up on the way back to US. I don't think I trust them on that though. We had 2 cans of mace and I carried in Niagara Falls no problems at all. The NY side of the falls is very dumpy. Not appealng at all. The Canadian side is very nice. My wife and I ran around town all hours day and night no problems encountered at all. For free parking join the players club at the casino. Its free and you get free parking with your players card. This will save you a ton on parking. The Maid of The Mist is great I highly recommend it. You will get very wet so keep the digital camera and video cameras in the hotel room. If you drink beer buy it in NY and bring it accross the border. Old Milwaukee is a high priced import up there. $22 Canadian for a 12 pack! The convience stores don't sell beer so you have to go to a beer store and get fleeced. Now I understand Strange Brew and their scam to get free Elsinore.
 
#24 ·
I thought bear spray was usually pepper spray with a different label.

Well, I don't think I'm going through the trouble. Keep my head out of my butt and stay alert, then I'll just do my best. I'm not buying something in NY that I have to throw away, then tracking down animal spray in Canada.

I dig that umbrella, but it is a bit pricey.
 
#25 ·
In NY, you are pretty much out of luck. Here's how the NY law reads:

"No person may carry, possess or transport a handgun in or through the state unless he has a valid New York license. New York does not issue licenses to non-residents nor does it recognize licenses issued by other states."

That's a very terse statement, and says it all. I like the umbrella idea. Good luck, stay safe.
 
#28 ·







You did mention tools.
 
#29 · (Edited by Moderator)
Greatings from Canada!

Good question.

Cannot help you with NY, but certainly can with Canada.

First of all, I'd like to say it's refreshing to read people's disgust in Canada's successful conversion into a police state where the public are basically disarmed sheep. Well, except the criminals; they are armed to the teeth because laws only apply to the lawful.

Whew! So Anyway.

1) you cannot carry anything legal that will match an armed thug with a handgun - unless you happen to have a kevlar vest and you run his head over with your car.

2) but the most common thing you will come up against is a knife; or just a group of jerks looking to lay someone a beating.

for this, it's dicey but legal:

bearspray = pepperspray on steroids. it's big and unwieldley. Extremely strong pepperspray (works on a grizzly) and comes out in a fantastically powerful wall of fog. Great for 2 or more too! and has distance!

it's not terribly concealable unless in a purse or day pouch, but great for the car.

I've blasted people with this in dark parking lots trying to mug me and they thought they died and went to hell. 1 blast, then another so they breath it in and melt into a puddle. Wait a few secs so you don't breath any mist in b4 walking up and kicking their face.

pepperspray - legal for carry against dogs, make sure its not whimpy, try to get enough volume in it and 5% oc

collapsing steel baton - 21" will fit in pocket but will break bones, etc/ bearspray & one of these has been dandy for me ==these are legal, for no other reason than the bureaucrats forgot to ban them, don't bother showing canada customs it though or you'll have nothing but grief - they seem to make the laws up as they go along, so do the cops up here

a pad lock on a chain in your pocket would not be illegal.

a roll of nickels (hard to prove a weapon was used), and 'well officer, I only sprayed him with dog spray I happed to have and then only punched him once, can't help it if he is in lala land'

last but not least: the wisdom to 'keep out of it', and the physical abilities of your own body & whatever is within reach. The sidewalk can be a real manstopper when someone goes head first into it.

Canada customs and cops are [edited] that will say all of the above are illegal and would bust Mary Poppins for her umbrella. Just like new york, it's illegal to bring pepperspray or bearspray into the country but you can buy it at any sporting goods/hunting type store.

I wish I was on that Greyhound bus. I don't really know if I'd be alive or dead right now, but that [edited] would have his head caved right in with a steel police baton and bearspray. I can't believe the Canadian newspapers commended the bravery of the people on the bus for fleeing so quickly.

Britain is talking about banning all knives with points and have banned all handguns; Australia has banned all guns I think. Whadda stupid world we live in.

anyway, Enjoy your vacation and just stay out of it, take care.

sincerely, the last non-sheeple Canadian
 
#33 · (Edited by Moderator)
sincerely, the last non-sheeple Canadian
I hate to rag on a like minded fellow Canadian but noth your screen name and signature line are false. If you were the last non-sheeple and truly believed in "live free or die" you would carry your gun.

What livefreeordie has posted is correct. Knives are permitted, batons, and "animal" sprays. From personal experience, the bear spray is bad stuff, it hurts like hell and definitely removes your will to fight. If you bring anything up, shut your mouth at the border and carry on.


TDC
 
#30 ·
If you live in Michigan, why are you going to Canada???? Yeah the Niagara Falls are great, but you have great country in the Upper Pennisula. It isn't any further away than Canada, you can carrry your gun, assuming you have a CCW and in my opinion is just as beautiful. Mackinaw Island is great. Sleeping Bear dunes is wonderful. The West coast shore is great. Stay in Michigan.
 
#32 ·
You can buy bearspray easily enough in Canada or the US, if you intend to stay in Canada for awhile, buy it here as there will be no issue with the strength. but as long as it says Bear/dog spray and you say it's for "predators" then you sill be ok.
 
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