Canadian Knife Laws

God of Pan · Jan 23, 2005

I have noticed a lot of question about knife laws in Canada, so i decided to do some research and answer the most asked questions. Look at the following site, it should answer most of the questions that you might think of. http://www.theatresafety.ca/downloads/v_firearms-blades.pdf
To summerize for all you lazy people, it says, you can carry any sized blade on you if its not considered a weapon, or the cops don't think you are using it to hurt somone else.
If they do, you can't conceal it, but why take the risk, just always have a clip on you pocket, belt, ect. You are also not able to have a "constant companion", somthing that is with you all the time, ie, a knife that fits into your belt, and the knife handle doubles as the buckle.
If you are carring a folder, it can't be opened by gravity, a butten or device on the handle, or by wrist flick, a stud or hole in blade to help open is legal. In Canada you are also able to have a butterfly knife, or Bali, providing the screw is tight and won't let it open by itself, yes i know it defeats the purpose of having it, but just have two, a lose one in the house, and a tight on you. In my opinion, other then bali's and autos, Canada has better knife law then the US.

This should answer most Canadian questions, if you have any extra information, feal free to add it.

Will · Jan 25, 2005

"prohibited weapon" means

(a) a knife that has a blade that opens
automatically by gravity or centrifugal force
or by hand pressure applied to a button,
spring or other device in or attached to the
handle of the knife,

86. (1) Every person commits an offence
who, without lawful excuse, uses, carries,
handles, ships, transports or stores a
firearm, a prohibited weapon, a restricted
weapon, a prohibited device or any ammunition
or prohibited ammunition in a careless manner
or without reasonable precautions for the
safety of other persons.

90. (1) Every person commits an offence
who carries a weapon, a prohibited device or
any prohibited ammunition concealed, unless
the person is authorized under the Firearms
Act to carry it concealed.

The way I interpret this is:

If the knife falls under the "prohibited" catagory, it is illegal to have is your possesion. This includes being stored at home. It is illegal to carry, concealed or in plain view.

If the knife does not fall under "prohibited" then it may be carried concealed or in plain view. This is where I am a little confused. For years, people have always expressed that knives, including simple SAKs are technically illegal to carry if concealed in a pocket. I am not sure where this interpretation comes from.

Next; as God of Pan pointed out is his earlier post; is the issue of carrying a knife as a weapon but in plain view. Good question. I always thought carrying weapons in Canada is illegal. One cannot carry a knife for self-defence - weather concealed or in plain view.

I actually find Canadian knife laws simple and reasonable. Carry whatever you want so long as it is not intended for use as a weapon, and it does not fdall under the "prohibited" catagory. (90) can be a little confusing: by saysing it is illegal to carry a concealed weapon, it sort of implies that carrying one in plain view is OK. I do not take this to be the case, although I can't find it written anywhere.

-Will

God of Pan · Jan 25, 2005

Thanks Will, i just found out that a weapon is a weapon, and having it showing does not allow you to have it. My interpretation of Canadian laws are, if its not a weapon, you can have it. Covered up by your shirt, or straped across your chest for everyone to see. My advice, just leave a clip out in plain view, just advoids the problem all together.

Ps I may be calling the police station, i'll update this post then.

FoxholeAtheist · Feb 7, 2005

If you haven't called your police station yet, and intend to do so still, ask about carrying a small fixed blade openly on your belt. I'm thinking something along the lines of the Benchmade Activator (2" blade). My AFCK would probably be considered a "weapon" due to the name and the fact that it can be flipped open, and since I'm trying to immigrate here, I really don't need any weapons charges on my record.

Thanks!

M_O_B.rm · Feb 7, 2005

Does the law distinguish between a knife (3" Gerber folder) carried on one's person and one carried in easily accessed pocket of a backpack or shoulder bag?

Also, is working at a warehouse or similar place a valid reason for having an exacto-type knife tucked (*gasp* CONCEALED) in my pocket? They seem like the most innocuous tool to me, but every time i read the word "boxcutter" in the news it is accompanied by "youth gang" and "deadly weapon".

FoxholeAtheist · Feb 8, 2005

AFAIK, if you have something in a backpack, it is "on your person".

Were it up to me, you would have no issues with the box-cutter in your pocket at work, but the letter of the law seems to indicate it's illegal. As long as you don't do anything stupid with it, you're probably ok.

Will · Feb 8, 2005

FoxholeAtheist said:
AFAIK, if you have something in a backpack, it is "on your person".

Were it up to me, you would have no issues with the box-cutter in your pocket at work, but the letter of the law seems to indicate it's illegal. As long as you don't do anything stupid with it, you're probably ok.

What law says it is illegal to carry a knife in ones pocket? I keep reading about how it is tecnically illegal to carry so much as a SAK in a pocket, but nowhere have I seen this written. A pocket knife doesn't seem to be classiffied as a 'prohibited weapon'. There is no mention of non probitbited weapons anywhere, and the only mention of concealed carry refers to prohibited weapons. It seems clear when I read it, but everyone interprets it differently, and I am left confused.

-Will

FoxholeAtheist · Feb 9, 2005

90. (1) Every person commits an offence
who carries a weapon, a prohibited device or
any prohibited ammunition concealed, unless
the person is authorized under the Firearms
Act to carry it concealed.

I guess it depends on what you consider a "weapon". (Note that this section isn't talking only about "prohibited" weapons.) If the officer considers the box cutter in your pocket a weapon, then you've got a carrying a concealed weapon charge against you.

God of Pan · Feb 9, 2005

I don't think a cop would care if you had a box cutter, i don't see why anyone would consider them a weapon. If i am allowed to carry one for my art class at school, you carrying one at work shouldn't get you in any trouble.

Ps. Can't get any info from the police because they know nothing. I think you would be allow to have a knife on your belt or in your pocket if it wasn't considered a weapon.