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Self-defense in Canada vs. the US
Posted by David Hardy · 21 July 2025 05:47 PM
A short video comparison. Don Kates once remarked that we assume that because another country speaks English, we must share the same culture--but we don't.
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Kopel wrote a book comparing US, Japan, and Canadian attitudes toward weapons.
When I was living in Canada there was a case of a licensed firearms instructor (you have to be licensed to teach the courses that are required to possess and acquire a firearm), and requires a significant investment in deactivated firearms and ammunition, all of which must be stored as though they were real.
Anyway, this guy had some dispute with two local guys - who were local law enforcement deputies, or reserves, or something. It came to a head one night when they started throwing rocks, and then molotov cocktails, at his home.
He went to his safe, got a .22 revolver, went to his locked ammo storage, got a few rounds, and then went outside after calling 911. Calling the same agency that was attacking him.
As I recall, he didn't fire, didn't brandish. Just told them he was armed, and to leave. When the FD arrived and put the fires out, he was arrested, charged with all sorts of firearms violations, had all his firearms and ammo impounded, and was jailed for months while the crown prosecutor made a huge case. Of course, he lost his job, nearly lost his home, had his reputation ruined and spent hundreds of thousands on his defense - all while being in jail.
The case was in the press, and had little chance of success. The crown kept at it until the day the case was scheduled to begin, when the crown dropped the charges.
Of course, he was not reimbursed for his costs, nor did he get any of his firearms back, nor was he ever allowed to have a PAL, much less be an instructor.
Everyone else was getting paid of course.
And the two asshats that started it all? Minor fines, and were allowed to keep their jobs.
Canadian Justice .... is nothing about justice.