Guns for Self-Defence and Personal Protection in Canada

Newest Update of This Page: 20 October 2022

Overview

• Canadian law recognizes the right to use force for personal protection.
• Section 34 of the Criminal Code covers the legitimate “use or threat of force” for self-defence.
• Many factors are considered to assess if the use of force in response to a threat is justified. Section 34 doesn’t specify the tools or techniques that may or may not be used.

Legislation

• Criminal Code, Section 34
• See also the Department of Justice’s Technical Guide for Practitioners

More Resources

• Our articles on self-defence
• Rick Hemmingson (Castanet): Self-Defence and Firearms in Canada