Canadian Knife Laws?

[diablo_man]

In BC specifically. another member informed me that i dont quite have it right with the laws here, and since i gathered most of that knowledge from a search of this forum and BritishBlades, any clarification and info would be appreciated.

 

[Pseudonym]

If I can find it in House of Knives I don't worry about it. Basically don't carry anything massive or excessively "tactical" looking, and don't look like a crackhead or a dealer or something.
EDIT: And no balisongs or autos.

I figure since there's so much grey area with the knife laws here, it's best just to use some basic common sense and if you get hassled say "sorry, I didn't know".

 

[diablo_man]

what i have found so far

"8. The device known as the “Constant Companion”, being a belt containing a blade capable of being withdrawn from the belt, with the buckle of the belt forming a handle for the blade, and any similar device.
9. Any knife commonly known as a “push-dagger” that is designed in such a fashion that the handle is placed perpendicular to the main cutting edge of the blade and any other similar device other than the aboriginal “ulu” knife.
10. Any device having a length of less than 30 cm and resembling an innocuous object but designed to conceal a knife or blade, including the device commonly known as the “knife-comb”, being a comb with the handle of the comb forming a handle for the knife, and any similar device."

 

[Critter]

In BC specifically. another member informed me that i dont quite have it right with the laws here, and since i gathered most of that knowledge from a search of this forum and BritishBlades, any clarification and info would be appreciated.

The issue was are Canadian laws more or less restrictive than U.S.? While there are areas of the U.S., primarily urban centers and a few states, with very restrictive knife regulations, many states and areas have no knife restrictions whatsoever. Here in Arizona or in New Hampshire, for example, there are NO specific restrictions on knives whatsoever. On the other hand, to best of my knowledge, switchblades are banned in Canada to civilians, period, end of story, but are legal to posses to one degree or another, in 27 states in the U.S. While one-hand openers and assisted-openers are legal to import into the U.S., codified in 2009 by the U.S. Congress, and legal most everywhere (although it sometimes requires a court to make that point), importing these into Canada is decidedly risky. Many have the pivot screw tightened down to the point the that blade is almost impossible to open in order to avoid having them seized by Canadian Customs. In many areas of Canada, primarily urban in nature, these are considered illegal "flick knives" by law enforcement and courts have backed that up.

On balance, I don't think you can say that Canada is less restrictive WRT knives than the U.S. In both countries in large part it depends on where you are, but as the switchblade example shows, with regards some types of knives, Canada is definitely less friendly.

Having said all that, Knife Rights was formed to ensure that we here in the U.S. will have less restrictions in the future than what we restrictions we have to deal with now. We don't want to end up like Europe, or for that matter, Canada. The restrictions we do have didn't come into being overnight and we won't get rid of them overnight, but we are now moving in the right direction, lessening restrictions rather than adding to them as is occurring most everywhere else.

 

[diablo_man]

oh ok, i thought you were saying my understanding of canadian laws was wrong, instead of just pointing out that some are more restictive than the states in certain areas.


however, AFAIK stuff like length restrictions, slipjoint only, etc stuff doesnt happen in canada. while canada is probably on the whole more restrictive, it seems relatively homogenous, whereas a trip through the states could end with a 3.5 inch blade getting taken because it is too long, if i was in the wrong city.

It would be nice if KnifeRights had a canadian chapter, i would certainly be a member. as is i might still donate to the american one(especially as my GF is from there, gotta think of that )

 

[Critter]

It would be nice if KnifeRights had a canadian chapter, i would certainly be a member. as is i might still donate to the american one(especially as my GF is from there, gotta think of that )

Well, I have my hands full here. Anyone who wants to start a Canadian chapter would be welcome to do so, provided they demonstrated the wherewithal to make a go of it. We're happy to talk with all who want to move things in the right direction, and help where we can, regardless of where they live, but we cannot do it for you at this stage in our development.

 

[like em sharp]

In both countries in large part it depends on where you are, but as the switchblade example shows, with regards some types of knives, Canada is definitely less friendly.

In Canada, Federal Law trumps all local, municipal and provincial laws regarding knives, weapons, firearms, etc. This is one of the few provisions still in effect on Reservations as well, which typically have some level of self-government.

1. No knives openable via centrifugal force (gravity knives or balisongs)
2. No switchblades or automatics (definited as opening assist via a button or switch not attached to the blade).
3. No push daggers
4. No belt-buckle knives
5. No knives concealed in items under 30cm (approximately 12 inches) in length. Dagger combs are illegal, dagger canes are not.
6. No knives or weapons of any type in controlled areas (schools, universities without permission, jails, courthouses, airports, mass transit).

Overriding all of this is that there is a broad restriction on carrying items for "offensive purposes". The former set is law set down in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms (or it's current extensions), the latter is for LEOs to make the distinction. I have found through experience that if you can give even a half-assed reason for carrying anything and you're relatively polite with local LEOs, they won't hassle you. Sheathed hunting knives may get you a look if you're wandering through downtown Vancouver, but unless it's out and you're waving it around while yelling about bugs in your brain typically nobody will bother you.