Hello /c/Canada
You know how there’s a 2nd amendment in the U.S. on the right to bear arms? I know that it was originally meant to allow people to form militias and defend their rights should the government become an authoritarian regime and stop following the constitution.
Is there anything similar in Canada in terms of laws or rights and freedoms?
For one to posses and acquire a firearm in Canada you must have a PAL (Possession and Acquisition license), the criminal code does not prevent citizens from open carrying firearms on public land however, you must not intimidate or threaten anyone otherwise that is a criminal act.
Really the only professions in Canada that are allowed to open carry firearms are usually Cops, Brink/Bank truckers, trappers and farmers other than that you must follow safe storage & transport laws or get an Authorization to Carry (ATC) from the RCMP and your local CFO which if I recall correctly only 2 people have successfully done so as they were in fear for their lives.
You’re conflating firearms and handguns. Anyone can carry a rifle/shotgun, loaded even, in areas that aren’t explicitly forbidden, like cities. You can’t transport them loaded, but you can certainly carry one around on public or private land for plinking or hunting.
Handgun carry permits outside LEO and security are few and far between, and certainly not likely for personal protection against people, as you said.
And handguns have seen a lot of recent restrictions from even taking them to the range.
Yeah, I just didn’t want to get overly detailed and off topic otherwise I would’ve gone into the Non-Restricted, Restricted and Prohibited categories and their purposes.
Appreciate the added context.
Interesting. I’m going to give this a read.
I should mention while the criminal code doesn’t prohibit folks from open carrying on public land it is typically not recommended for PAL holders to open carry in cities where crown land may be, most Canadians are not familiar with the firearms laws and may take it the wrong way, as well as provinces may dictate their own policies regarding where it is acceptable.
https://crownlandmap.ca/#bc
Crown Land Maps Is a good way to depict where public land is but always double check provincial guidelines.
Hope this helps!
The goal is not to walk around with a gun on me for fun. I’m not talking about U.S. style gun culture where you walk in a store with an AR-15 on a strap.
I’m thinking organized militias to protect protesters and keep them safe from the police. That sort of thing.