Armory Sponsor
Posted: 2/6/2013 9:48:14 PM EDT
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Good day, Or night I guess.
I am planning a trip to Ontario this summer. I will be in urban and rural areas. I can not find clear guide-lines of what types of knives are ok to carry or methods of carry. It seems that Canadian law leaves plenty for the police and judge to play with on interpretation. The main guideline that I can find is that it is strictly a tool. What about pocket clips/pocket carry, or does it have to be completely open as on a belt holster? How about methods to open (thumb studs, thumb holes, thumb disks, or assisted opening) I have a feeling that I will be buying a knife just for this trip as all of my knives look somewhat scary.  My EDC knife is too expensive for me to risk taking it.
EDIT: This is the ONLY language that I can find. "(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, or (b) any weapon, other than a firearm, that is prescribed to be a prohibited weapon" But little to nothing is said in the "prohibited weapon" section about knives. So nothing that can be flicked open, no spring assisted opening, but a one handed knife is ok? |
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Prohibited Weapon
Article 84 of the Criminal Code of Canada bans the sale and possession of any knife 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." This part of the law has evolved into a test where police attempt to release the blade of a knife out of its handle with only one hand. If the knife’s blade slides out, even slightly, the knife is considered to be a "prohibited weapon." Passable Knives Knives with sheaths, knives that take both hands to open and any knife with a fixed blade are legal in Canada. Knives only become the law’s concern in Canada after being used to threaten, injure or kill someone. Due to Canada’s strict gun ownership laws, knives killed more people than guns did in Canada between 2000 and 2004. Possession Simple possession of a legal knife is not a crime in Canada. However, a prosecutor may be able to argue in court that a small pocket knife was carried for a "purpose dangerous to the public’s peace" or in order to commit a crime. In this case, even possession of a small pocket knife can become a problem. The argument of possession of a knife for self defense has not yet become common law, and cannot be counted on as a blanket defense. |
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