Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Well, my Dad grew up in downtown Toronto, trained Labrador Retrievers, and used them to hunt ducks with. But I will agree that such things among Torontonians are less common than they were back in the day.
I'd suggest that "needing a gun for self-defense" just doesn't compute in Canada. We're not raised with that mentality, even in gun-owning households. Guns are not for self-defense, baseball bats are. So are lamps and chairs. Even a good kick to the nuts is.
Thing is, that knowing Canadian self-defense laws as I do, using a gun for self defense can get you into a whole lotta trouble. The burglar is facing a summary charge (B&E); you would be facing an indictable charge if you threatened him with a gun. Better to put down that shotgun, and grab a baseball bat. That will scare him off just as much as a 12-gauge, and you won't face any criminal penalties. Well, you might if you actually hit him with the bat, but if you don't, you're fine.
That's exactly my sense of Canadian attitudes towards guns... well in big metropolitan centers.
In high school, of all the people I mingled with only 2 guys had guns in the house... and it was shot guns for hunting ducks.
Even then, his dad was very strict on handling and safety. It was just for hunting, not defense or target practice or any "nonsense" playing around.
If I ran across a person who owned handgun(s) it is a bit strange. Whereas rifles and shotguns are mostly used for hunting, other firearms are meant to be aimed at people.
I'm so intrigued with the differences in gun culture between Canada and the USA. I know a lot of it has to do with history and of course the constitution.
Does Canada have a similar worded constitution about the right to bear arms?
...... I'm so intrigued with the differences in gun culture between Canada and the USA. I know a lot of it has to do with history and of course the constitution.
Does Canada have a similar worded constitution about the right to bear arms?
No. The "rights" thing about arms is only a constitutional thing in America.
There is no mention or wording of any kind about arms in Canada's constitution. There is no such thing as a "right" to own arms in Canada and there is no such thing as a "right" to carry (bear) arms in Canada.
The Supreme Court of Canada has made it very explicit that the ownership or the use of arms is not a "right", it is strictly a "privilege" granted only to individuals who make it through an intense screening process.
It's my understanding you won't find any mention of arms or rights about arms in the constitutions of any other countries in the world either. It's just an American thing to have an arms culture and it's kind of like it's some sort of religion for them.
No. The "rights" thing about arms is only a constitutional thing in America.
There is no mention or wording of any kind about arms in Canada's constitution. There is no such thing as a "right" to own arms in Canada and there is no such thing as a "right" to carry (bear) arms in Canada.
The Supreme Court of Canada has made it very explicit that the ownership or the use of arms is not a "right", it is strictly a "privilege" granted only to individuals who make it through an intense screening process.
It's my understanding you won't find any mention of arms or rights about arms in the constitutions of any other countries in the world either. It's just an American thing to have an arms culture and it's kind of like it's some sort of religion for them.
.
I had never thought about other countries and rights to guns. Apparently, the US, Mexico and Guatemala are the only ones.
However Mexico and Guatemala have strict restrictions. Not that it does them much good there, because of the cartels. Too many guns already.
I've never heard a Mexican say to me, that they equate gun rights with freedom, like some do in the US. Perhaps someone can comment.
Yeah, I just looked it up and Mexico and Guatemala do mention arms in their respective constitutions. In both countries their constitutions state that citizens can possess arms in their homes for home defense and security purposes only.
That's exactly my sense of Canadian attitudes towards guns... well in big metropolitan centers.
In high school, of all the people I mingled with only 2 guys had guns in the house... and it was shot guns for hunting ducks.
Even then, his dad was very strict on handling and safety. It was just for hunting, not defense or target practice or any "nonsense" playing around.
If I ran across a person who owned handgun(s) it is a bit strange. Whereas rifles and shotguns are mostly used for hunting, other firearms are meant to be aimed at people.
I'm so intrigued with the differences in gun culture between Canada and the USA. I know a lot of it has to do with history and of course the constitution.
Does Canada have a similar worded constitution about the right to bear arms?
Well, I’m a dual citizen living on the border. So I kinda know both worlds. Some of my Canadian relatives have firearms, but the ones that do were raised on farms. The ones that don’t, are what I would call “city boys”. Here in the state I live in, guns are everywhere in this rural, farm state. Hardly any gun laws at all. Constitutional Carry, private party transfer, machine guns, suppressors, short barrels rifles and shotguns all legal. Everyone hunts, everyone I’ve talked to does shooting just for fun. But guns are considered like tools, no big deal because they are everywhere. No problems either. But I’ve noticed up in Canada, people tend to be scared of firearms and make a big deal about them. I could care less, I see them all the time.
I married into a very large Canadian family.
They like the people on this topic have very few firearms if any and are very apologetic about the ones that they do have.
I’m fine with that and that’s ok with me.
I even tolerate some ribbing about being the American gun owner in the family.
I will admit sometimes their ribbing is a bit snobbish and hurtful but as a good relative I either smile and brush it off or have to do something in another area.
Funny thing though,
When they come and visit one of the first things they do is ask if I can take them shooting.
I’ve even been asked more than once not to tell so and so because they would be embarrassed.
I married into a very large Canadian family.
They like the people on this topic have very few firearms if any and are very apologetic about the ones that they do have.
I’m fine with that and that’s ok with me.
I even tolerate some ribbing about being the American gun owner in the family.
I will admit sometimes their ribbing is a bit snobbish and hurtful but as a good relative I either smile and brush it off or have to do something in another area.
Funny thing though,
When they come and visit one of the first things they do is ask if I can take them shooting.
I’ve even been asked more than once not to tell so and so because they would be embarrassed.
Odd that they would be embarrassed and apologetic about owning a firearm.
That's a new one on me.
As for shooting, if they are really into it, suggest they join one of the many gun clubs and shooting ranges in Canada.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
