What can I carry for self defense in Canada? (2023)

What self-defense items are allowed in a carry on?

Yes, as long as it is only used as a tool and not for self-defense. Some knives, such as butterfly knives and circuit blades, are prohibited weapons, and even if there is no length limit, carrying long knives on the street will attract the attention of the police. You can use coyote spray in dogs and coyotes.

No, pepper spray is considered a prohibited weapon in Canada and is therefore illegal. If you are found in possession of pepper spray, you can be charged with a criminal offence. The penalties for weapon offences in Canada are very serious, including long-term imprisonment and a criminal record.

As nice looking as this comb is, since it hides a weapon, it's classified as illegal in Canada. Most knifes are illegal in this country, with the exception of knifes that open manually. You won't be able to use a knife to defend yourself in this country.

Liquid or gel food items larger than 3.4 oz are not allowed in carry-on bags and should be placed in your checked bags if possible. TSA officers may instruct travelers to separate items from carry-on bags such as foods, powders, and any materials that can clutter bags and obstruct clear images on the X-ray machine.

Canada. There is no law banning the carrying in public knives with sheaths, knives that take both hands to open and any knife with a fixed blade and certain non-prohibited folding knives, assuming they are not carried for a purpose dangerous to public peace or for the purpose of committing a criminal offense.

A knife with a blade 6 cm or less is permitted in carry-on or checked baggage when flying within Canada or to an international (non-U.S.) destination. Knives of any type or length are not permitted in your carry-on on flights to the U.S.

Electric stun guns: Please note that this is an illegal item under the Criminal Code of Canada; if it is presented at a pre-board screening checkpoint, protocol requires us to notify the police. This could lead to charges and prosecution to the item's holder.

It is permissible to bring bear spray into the U.S., while crossing the land border. Canadian Customs will allow the importations of U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) approved bear spray into Canada.

To be legal in Canada, bear spray must be clearly labelled as such. Bear spray is regulated by Health Canada and Pest Control Products Act. Read the label and precautions carefully. As the bear spray canister is under pressure, it is important to transport it safely and not leave it in a hot vehicle.

What is the best home defense weapon not a gun?

It is perfectly legal to own knives and swords that are not prohibited by design in Canada, so long as your purpose for purchasing and/or carrying it is to use it as a tool. Remember, Canadian law does not allow you to carry a knife for the purpose of "self defense".

It is perfectly legal for civilians to carry and use tactical flashlights. Because they are not explicitly weapons and are just a variation of a standard LED flashlight, tactical flashlights are legal to use and carry. So you won't be raising any alarm by carrying your tactical flashlight with you.

A jackknife with a blade 6 cm or less is permitted when flying within Canada or to an international (non-U.S.) destination.

Safety Razors: Because the razor blades are so easy to remove, safety razors are not permitted in your carry-on luggage with the blade. They're fine to pack in your carry-on without the blade. The blades must be stored in your checked luggage. The same applies for straight razors.

For carry-on you are limited to containers of 3.4oz or less that can fit comfortably in one quart-sized, clear, zip-top bag. If it's overflowing from the bag, that isn't comfortable. Please remember, one bag per passenger. For checked bags, there is no limit!

Carry-on luggage: One standard piece and one personal piece of luggage (e.g. a camera bag, purse, laptop) per passenger. Liquids and gels: Liquids and gels must not exceed 100 ml or 100 grams (3.4 ounces). Anything over will be confiscated at a security checkpoint.

Each passenger is limited to one quart-size bag of liquids, gels and aerosols. Common travel items that must comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule include toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash and lotion.

Tweezers: This item is permitted in both carry-on and checked baggage.

What is the biggest knife you can carry in Canada?

There are no limits on length. BUT, and this is a big but, the knife you carry must only be used as a tool (a.k.a. utility knife, hunting knife WHEN HUNTING, etc.). As stated above it do not conceal or have the intent to cause harm; this includes self defense! This law is about intent.

Canadians have a right to defend their property or themselves as long as their defensive actions are reasonable under the circumstances. This means that if you injure an intruder entering your home or property, you would need to show that the circumstances gave you no other reasonable choice.

Prohibited knives: Any knife that has a blade that opens automatically by gravity, by centrifugal force, or by hand pressure applied to a button, spring or other device in or attached to the handle of the knife (butterfly knives, switchblades, etc.) is a prohibited item and is considered an illegal item under the ...

In Canada, brass knuckles, or any similar devices made of metal, are listed as prohibited weapons; possession of such weapon is a criminal offence under the Criminal Code. Plastic knuckles have been determined to be legal in Canada.

The general rule

In Canada, carrying blades in public isn't illegal as long as their purpose is: Practical. Not for self-defence. Not criminal.

“Those are OK in your check bag but if you want to take those on a aircraft, they need to be limited to 3.4 ounces or less in one quart size bag and each passenger is allowed one of those.” Other items not allowed are kubaton pens, a self-defense keychain weapon, according to Ross Faase, a TSA worker at the Gerald R.

The TSA Specifically Forbids Tactical Pens

The TSA can confiscate any weapon and since a tactical pen might look like one… You can read stories about all sort of weapons and tactical pens being confiscated here.

"Can you bring a self-defense keychain on an airplane?" No. Self-defense keychains, sometimes called kubatons, are prohibited from being carried on to a commercial airliner in the US. Note: If your friendly TSA officer says no, though, it means no.

Yes, handcuffs are allowed in your carry-on or checked bags. Don't forget the keys, and have a safe trip!

Within the U.S., you can only travel with firearms and ammunition, including pellet and BB guns, in your checked bags if you're over 18 years old. You must check them with an agent at check-in and declare that you're traveling with firearms and ammunition. Firearms must be: Unloaded.

What is considered a tactical pen?

A tactical self-defense pen is a writing instrument primarily that works as a viable weapon and a discrete everyday carry (EDC). Typically, these pens are made from durable materials such as anodized aluminum, steel, or titanium to withstand impact.

In Canada it's illegal to carry a weapon for the purpose of self-defense. And according to the Criminal Code, a weapon can be anything designed, used or intended to cause death or injury or even just to threaten or intimidate another person.

Re: Will my Sharpie Marker & Highlighter leak on the plane? Liquids (ink) don't expand at lower pressures so they will be fine, assuming no physical damage.

You may transport unloaded firearms in a locked hard-sided container as checked baggage only. Declare the firearm and/or ammunition to the airline when checking your bag at the ticket counter. The container must completely secure the firearm from being accessed. Locked cases that can be easily opened are not permitted.

Does pepper spray affect metal detectors? This can vary depending on the material that the canister of the pepper spray is made of, however, your pepper spray will most likely cause a metal detector to go off.

According to TSA regulations, you can bring all types of keys on a plane in both your carry and checked bags.

While the TSA states that tasers are allowed in checked baggage as long as it is transported in a way that renders it inoperable from accidental discharge, and the taser's lithium-ion battery is no greater than 100 watts, airlines may have their own restrictions.