Canada knife carry: ILLEGAL. EVERYTHING.

A

autism

Joined
Dec 2, 2015
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So I was looking to buy a small pocket knife, like the iconic Opinel #8, to carry in my pocket or backpack.

So i have just called my local police station and asked if i am allowed to carry a small folding knife with a blade under 4 inches.

Well, the cop told me that it's illegal to carry ANY knife on you.

If the cop was telling the truth, proud of Canada.
 
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Welcome to the forum.

To recap. Knife carry falls under federal, provincial and city law. Therefor, it is up to you to know when and how you can carry any particular blade.

Canada's laws typically center around intent, therefor, self defense is not a lawful excuse as Canada's laws only permit self defense with a matching of the force used by the other party.

Certain city bylaws may only effect the riding of public transit, or while in large groups. Certain Provincial Laws may restrict length, or other factors. Federal law covers importation and ownership mostly, and does not generally cover carry, although concealed carry of a Weapon is I believe under the federal law. I only carry tools, so I'm good there.

Police are typically a bad source for laws, unless you know enough to ask for specifics. I would suggest some research on your own.

As for your user name, if you are on the spectrum, then I hope you find a way to fit in here, and I hope its a helpful place. If however it was simply a choice, It may not have been a good one.
 
autism said:
Well, the cop told me that it's illegal to carry ANY knife on you.

If the cop was telling the truth, proud of Canada.
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The cop was definitely not telling you the truth.
The police are often a bad source of what the law actually is.
But at least you learned something...don't go up to the next group of cops you see at Tim Horton's and say "Hey guys, want to see my awesome new knife?" :D
 
flphotog said:
It's pretty much illegal to do anything in Canada
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Also wrong, and a very defeatist attitude.
Many of the things I own, people in the USA don't think I could, and some of them aren't legal in many states (but they are here :)).
A whole bunch of Canadians don't know squat about what is allowed to own, carry, or do in their own country...don't be ignorant like all of them.
 
I know you really try to educate Stab, but there are some who just won't be bothered. Two entire applicable sub-forums and yet these sorts of hijacks still happen. Is it any surprise this guy didn't bother even trying to read the criminal code? Its not all that hard, even I've managed to read the relevant parts. But then again, maybe if these guys think all this stuff is illegal it will keep them from getting into trouble, as it seems that including lacking education, they lack discretion as well.

flphotog, if you want a scholars opinion, then you really should listen to the man they call Stab, and ask intelligent questions. Otherwise, feel free to do your own research. Thankfully you can do it online, and don't need to send in to the queens printer for your own copy. Although you could, many ways to find what you wish to know.
 
gadgetgeek said:
I know you really try to educate Stab, but there are some who just won't be bothered. Two entire applicable sub-forums and yet these sorts of hijacks still happen. Is it any surprise this guy didn't bother even trying to read the criminal code? Its not all that hard, even I've managed to read the relevant parts. But then again, maybe if these guys think all this stuff is illegal it will keep them from getting into trouble, as it seems that including lacking education, they lack discretion as well.

flphotog, if you want a scholars opinion, then you really should listen to the man they call Stab, and ask intelligent questions. Otherwise, feel free to do your own research. Thankfully you can do it online, and don't need to send in to the queens printer for your own copy. Although you could, many ways to find what you wish to know.
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You may have a point. :D
There have been times I was around someone who thought certain things were illegal and I just kept my mouth shut...because from everything else they were saying, it seemed best that they didn't possess such items. :thumbup:
 
Police are the second worst source of advice on criminal law...first year assistant district attorneys are the first!
 
I would also add - don't ask the USPS clerk. I recently traded for a knife and the postal worker told the sender that it was illegal to send knives to Canada. He called me to clarify and I told him to send it. Less than a week later, the knife was delivered without problems. As long as the knife is not an auto or gravity open knife, it is A-OK in Canada.
 
Guys, I'll be in Vancouver for the next year. Is it OK to just put my fallkniven a1 and a Classic Swiss Army Knife in the checked baggage when fly from UK to Canada? Do I need to claim to any authorities?

Thanks.
 
smellyMonkey said:
Guys, I'll be in Vancouver for the next year. Is it OK to just put my fallkniven a1 and a Classic Swiss Army Knife in the checked baggage when fly from UK to Canada? Do I need to claim to any authorities?

Thanks.
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That's up to UK Airport Security and the Airline's policies. The only knives that are illegal in Canada are OTF, automatic, and gravity open.

But if you'd rather play is safe you can sell all your knives (at a huge discount) to me so you won't be charged with any capital crimes.

Seriously, just search the criminal code and local bylaws. It's not hard.
 
They'll give you a declaration card on the flight to sign off one what you're carrying.

If weapons are mentioned tick the box.
 
Flying in to Canada, I'd be surprised if there was an issue with having a couple of knives in your checked baggage as long as you have a reason for them, like you are going to be camping, etc...
 
I believe the OP was given the correct answer. I asked the RCMP in Southern B.C. about carrying a knife, he said "fine but not in a bar(drinking) or a Court House".
kj
 
I live in eastern Ontario, I have a SAK in my pocket all the time, and when I am working as a carpenter, I always have a OLFA in my tool apron. You can buy knives EVERYWHERE, I can't believe carrying is a problem, just don't be dumb and no one will worry about it.
 
You will be fine with them in checked. When you do the declaration form, its easiest to check everything and have them clear you, rather than not check it, and get pulled up for questions. Technically if you don't declare it as a weapon, it isn't.... but its better to have them clear you than not. I alwasy check the weapon box, and also declare my painkillers as drugs. When they ask about any of it, say its for hiking. Its been said before, but I'll make it clear. Self defense is not a legal reason for carry in canada. Also look up the city bylaws of where you will be staying to find out about carry rules. Also park rules if you are going to be in the national parks and stuff.
 
smellyMonkey said:
Guys, I'll be in Vancouver for the next year. Is it OK to just put my fallkniven a1 and a Classic Swiss Army Knife in the checked baggage when fly from UK to Canada? Do I need to claim to any authorities?

Thanks.
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I haven't flown to Canada, but when it comes to travelling in general, all 'normal' knives should be ok if in checked baggage and when transporting from a private place to another (home to airport to hotel etc.) with no intention to have it readily available. Some 'dangerous' items like automatic knives might be forbidden, though, but most likely airport officials wouldn't be interested in such items as long as they're in checked baggage - except maybe customs officials who are more picky about forbidden items leaving the airport.

Of course, if it's illegal to import such an item, again, is up to the local laws, and there might be loopholes around it. For example Finnish law bans import and sales of 'dangerous items' such as automatic knives, but allows import and sale of such items if they can be considered to be 'collectable or otherwise valuable'.

In general, I agree that it's important to read your local laws well. My local law states that you are forbidden to carry "anything object suitable for harming others, including objects suitable for cutting or stabbing, without a generally acceptable reason" - and due to the vagueness it's up to the individual officer to interpret the law. If you know the law, you can produce a reasonable answer. In my case, if I carry a small SAK and for some strange reason an officer would ask me about it, it would be that "I use it for opening boxes at the office, and it's not very suitable for harming others due to it's small non-locking blade". Of course the officer might still consider the circumstance, remove it and fine me for carrying one, but at least he would have to produce a solid argument for doing it.
 
stabman said:
The cop was definitely not telling you the truth.
The police are often a bad source of what the law actually is.
But at least you learned something...don't go up to the next group of cops you see at Tim Horton's and say "Hey guys, want to see my awesome new knife?" :D
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:):):)

Cate
 
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