Thread: How many people CCW here?

Anyone tried the new Sig p938 in 9mm? I've been looking at another carry for when the 1911 is impractical.

Great thread. However, I feel really bad reading it as I unfortunately live in Socialist/Liberal Canada and the Government restricts basically all tools of self defense (even pepper spray for women), because if you look at the crime rate these laws obviously keep weapons out of the hands of criminals (sarcasm).

Therefore, the only concealed weapons I carry are a tactical flashlight and a tactical pen which i carry with me daily. I got a Fenix TK21 pulsated LED flashlight that can blind someone and a Smith & Wesson tactical pen with a sharp point on one side which can do damage in a self defense situation. I got my girlfriend a key-chain alarm, tactical flashlight, tactical pen, and she carries them with her daily.

Originally Posted by j033

Great thread. However, I feel really bad reading it as I unfortunately live in Socialist/Liberal Canada and the Government restricts basically all tools of self defense (even pepper spray for women), because if you look at the crime rate these laws obviously keep weapons out of the hands of criminals (sarcasm).

Therefore, the only concealed weapons I carry are a tactical flashlight and a tactical pen which i carry with me daily. I got a Fenix TK21 pulsated LED flashlight that can blind someone and a Smith & Wesson tactical pen with a sharp point on one side which can do damage in a self defense situation. I got my girlfriend a key-chain alarm, tactical flashlight, tactical pen, and she carries them with her daily.

I have a question for you guys in Canada, are you protected from illegal search and seizure? If so, I would never go without a weapon as I wouldn't use it unless it was absolutely necessary and I would be worried about the consequences after I save my life.

Originally Posted by Grizzley1

I have a question for you guys in Canada, are you protected from illegal search and seizure? If so, I would never go without a weapon as I wouldn't use it unless it was absolutely necessary and I would be worried about the consequences after I save my life.

I'm not Canadian, but based on my experience in European countries, I think the problem is that first of all, legally purchasing a handgun is much harder than in the US, and legally carrying close to impossible for civilians. Secondly, although a search of a person and/or their vehicle and luggage will generally require probable cause of some kind in any democratic country, there are areas within cities, such as train stations and red light districts, in which anyone is subject to search at any time for any reason. This has also become the case in parts of the US, such as NYPD's "stop and frisk" policy - 1,800 searches per day, with the justification of pre-empting crime and terrorist acts. Thirdly, if you do get caught with an illegal weapon, penalties are quite severe. In NYC it is a felony with a mandatory minimum sentence of three (!) years. In Germany, it's also a felony, and while you might still get around jail on a first offense, you will definitely get time on probation and a hefty fine of up to 10,000 EUR (app. $13,000).

Fourth, if you actually draw your illegally carried and possibly illegally purchased firearm and end up killing or injuring someone, justified or not, your life will be generally f**ked for some time. You will most likely be charged with murder or, best case, manslaughter, and the burden of proof to show justification for the shooting will be on you. Even if you manage to do so, the illegal weapons charges as above will still apply.

Fortunately/unfortunately we are law abiding citizens, and not hardened criminals for whom none of this is a consideration. Although I do not always agree with the law, I intend to remain a law-abiding citizen and would strongly advise anyone to follow the law in their country of residence. There are always legal self-defense alternatives to carrying a gun, and the good news is, your chances of being attacked with a gun are much slimmer in countries other than the US.

Originally Posted by Grizzley1

I have a question for you guys in Canada, are you protected from illegal search and seizure? If so, I would never go without a weapon as I wouldn't use it unless it was absolutely necessary and I would be worried about the consequences after I save my life.

i believe the laws are stricter with searching people here than America. Citizens have an expectation of privacy and I think police need consent or a warrant to search you. I could be wrong though, but that's my understanding.

And I think the same as you. I was thinking about getting a more effective weapon than a pen and flashlight, as it's relatively still easy to get a hold of a gun, knife, etc. despite the laws, just to have for a worst case scenario. I would certainly rather pay for a lawyer in posterity than a rehab specialist for physical or cerebral damage - or worse, having my loved ones worry about paying for my funeral.

I currently live on campus at a school which is situated in a bad area. Every week there's a violent assault or sexual assault. I also faced some harassment and intimidation so that's what got me into preparing for the worst.

However, the problem with my situation is that I'm not too worried about my safety, it's my girlfriend who I'm worried about, especially living where i do. A compounding frustration is that she's from Europe, and she's here on a study permit and it will take years before she gets citizenship. If she carried a weapon i think she would be intimidated in a cops presence, and not being well versed in the law, a cop could talk her into revealing she has a weapon and then she's deported. Also, if she were to use something in self-defense, she would be deported as well.

So, self defense courses, an alarm, tactical pen, and having me escorting her everywhere is unfortunately all she can afford to have for self preservation. It's pretty disgusting to me that the Government refuses to let citizens protect themselves, but that's just something i have to deal with for another year until i finish school and move to the country or immigrate.

Originally Posted by HamburgO

I'm not Canadian, but based on my experience in European countries, I think the problem is that first of all, legally purchasing a handgun is much harder than in the US, and legally carrying close to impossible for civilians. Secondly, although a search of a person and/or their vehicle and luggage will generally require probable cause of some kind in any democratic country, there are areas within cities, such as train stations and red light districts, in which anyone is subject to search at any time for any reason. This has also become the case in parts of the US, such as NYPD's "stop and frisk" policy - 1,800 searches per day, with the justification of pre-empting crime and terrorist acts. Thirdly, if you do get caught with an illegal weapon, penalties are quite severe. In NYC it is a felony with a mandatory minimum sentence of three (!) years. In Germany, it's also a felony, and while you might still get around jail on a first offense, you will definitely get time on probation and a hefty fine of up to 10,000 EUR (app. $13,000).

Fourth, if you actually draw your illegally carried and possibly illegally purchased firearm and end up killing or injuring someone, justified or not, your life will be generally f**ked for some time. You will most likely be charged with murder or, best case, manslaughter, and the burden of proof to show justification for the shooting will be on you. Even if you manage to do so, the illegal weapons charges as above will still apply.

Fortunately/unfortunately we are law abiding citizens, and not hardened criminals for whom none of this is a consideration. Although I do not always agree with the law, I intend to remain a law-abiding citizen and would strongly advise anyone to follow the law in their country of residence. There are always legal self-defense alternatives to carrying a gun, and the good news is, your chances of being attacked with a gun are much slimmer in countries other than the US.

Yes, the laws are similar. Carrying or using a weapon, even in self-defense, carries a stiff penalty.

But, it's probably different in Europe than in Canada with availability of guns. Guns would have to smuggled into European countries, probably from Eastern Europe or some place. We're next to America, and guns are brought over by the truckload. Criminals have easy access to them (here's actually a documentary on it if you care: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nq8Qlxu5vxk