The Laws & Ethics Of Self Defence In Canada & The US
Recently in the news there was a homeowner who was charged for using force during a home invasion in the middle of the night. There was a fair bit of controversy, because people tend to believe we have a right to protect ourselves in our own home.
How can anyone know what the motives of an intruder are? Your first fear would be for your own safety, as well as the safety of everyone else in the house. For those who live alone, the sense of vulnerability and fear might be interpreted as life or death.
In a case where a person is charged with using unreasonable force, how can a person who is in fear for their life know how to measure or minimize the amount of force to use? The adrenalin surge would be so overwhelming, the amount of force would be proportionate to the strength of the homeowner.
Sadly there have been cases where the invader was intoxicated or disoriented, and if in the US, they would probably be shot. But in Canada, fewer people have firearms.
Another recent case in the news was about a woman who stabbed several people in a park in Vancouver. Other random stranger attacks have left many people angered about the lenient treatment of repeat violent offenders.
Some of the attacks in recent years have been lethal. The Toronto subway seems to be especially dangerous. With the drug and homeless crisis, every city and town has more violence, probably far more than we realize.
Many people are teaching self defence. The range of self defence weapons in the US is staggering. Not only can they carry firearms, but they can also arm themselves with various types of knives, expandable batons, pepper spray, kubotans, tasers, and in some cases the tanbo type of fighting stick used in Japanese martial arts.
The fighting stick laws are more ambiguous. The fighting sticks are simply solid wood sticks, about 16 inches long, similar to a french rolling pin. Apparently they can be a lethal weapon if used to jab a person’s throat. When they teach people to use them, they are most effective when used on bone. People have become very skilled at using these weapons, learning rapid strikes on bones, and the element of surprise.
If someone is attacking another person with a knife, such a stick would be used to hit the wrist bone, the knee cap, the head, or the bridge of the nose. In addition to being used in Japan, they were also used in Ireland, where they are called “shillelagh” or the Irish knob stick, predominantly used in Irish street fighting.
The kubotan is a spiral keychain weapon, and can be made out of wood, metal or hard plastic. This item can be applied to the radius bone, which is on the thumb side of the wrist, and used to take down an attacker.
One of the few items that cannot be carried in the US, is the Bolawrap. Until I started doing a bit of research, I had never heard of some of these items. The Bolawrap is a kevlar cord controlled by a handheld device, and can be used from a distance to create a restraint, sort of like a high tech lasso. The cord can be aimed at the legs, or torso and arms, in order to stop or restrain a suspect. These can only be used by law enforcement.
Compared to the US, Canada does not allow any of the above mentioned self-defence items to be carried. We cannot carry guns, knives, clubs, batons, kubotans, pepper spray or tasers. In fact, it is illegal to carry any item if it is being carried for the purpose of self-defence.
What can we carry? We can carry personal alarms, whistles, and dog spray to be used only on a vicious dog, not on a person.
To get around these restrictions, some of the self defence teachers are advocating the use of canes, walking sticks, strong umbrellas (with a pointed end), and tactical flashlights. All of these things are items a person may have for utilitarian reasons, not for self defence. If you happen to use it if you are attacked, it could be explained as reflexive, or the only thing on hand during a time of crisis.
Personally, I cannot imagine whacking someone with a cane, or a flashlight. But I am pretty sure I could hit a vicious dog if I had to. Although even that would be a stretch. I am hardly fast enough to swat a fly, so I doubt I would be able to react quickly enough.
I do understand why people believe they have a right to defend themselves, and I think each situation has to be evaluated based on the circumstances. However, I am very glad we do not have the weapon mentality that seems so prevalent in the US. Some of those guys are carrying six or eight different weapons, just to go to the store.
It makes sense to be alert, aware of your surroundings, and to take a wide berth around any mean, or crazed looking people or dogs. But when people become too paranoid, they can easily become the aggressor. How many times does a person who is carrying a knife for protection end up using that knife, and getting charged with murder?
If you listen to the forensic experts, and medical examiners, they will tell you the number one cause of homicidal death is stabbing. And it is usually inflicted by someone the victim knows.
The trouble with arming yourself, is that you might begin to expect, or anticipate an attack. Especially for men, this could create a demeanour that gets the ire of someone who is looking for trouble.
Alternatively, to be alert, yet meek and ordinary without attracting attention, might allow you to walk through some troublesome areas, without provoking anyone.
There is a fine line between carrying yourself quietly, non-threatening, and respectful of others no matter who they are, without being vulnerable. For people who are stronger, and more confident, they too have to find a balance, so as not to come across as cocky or threatening.
When we are young and fit, we have a pretty good chance of being able to out run someone. As we age, we realize we couldn’t outrun anyone, unless they were dependant on a walker to get around.
In many cases, our words are probably our best defence. Words get people into trouble, and words can get people out of trouble.
Night time is notoriously more dangerous than daytime.
Since people who are murdered, or seriously harmed in an attack, are usually attacked by someone they know, it stands to reason to trust your intuition, and avoid anyone who gives you cause for concern.
Our intuition is probably our best self defence. The more we trust our intuition, the safer we are.
Canada overall, is still one of the safest countries in the world. Yes we do have crime, drug problems, and a need for bail reform. Even so, we still rank near the top, and are consistently, year after year, one of the safest countries in the world.
Compare that to the US. They rank 131 out of 163 countries on the global crime scale. Perhaps that is why they are so gung-ho to be carrying everything from pistols, to knives, and batons.
But the real question is – does the aggressive self-defence mentality actually lead to more violence? Although I know very little about the topic of self-defence, I do tend to believe that all those weapons are part of the problem.
Relationships are complex, and often rife with conflict. In a state of extreme anger, betrayal, jealousy or rejection, it would be far too easy to use that handy weapon in the heat of an argument, especially if one or both people are under the influence. I think more people are killed by the guns in their own households in the US, than we can begin to imagine.
People shoot their spouse, claiming they thought it was an intruder. The resulting investigation often reveals affairs, money problems, and a large insurance policy on the victim.
Others shoot their spouse, and then claim a masked intruder snuck in and did the deed. Others shoot a family member, and then say it happened when they went to the store for fifteen minutes. Someone must have been waiting in the bushes for them to leave…You have to wonder.
If you consider the strictness of the laws in Canada, with regards to what you cannot carry for self defence. Then compare that to the US, and all the things they can, and do carry for self defence, it should tell us something.
I am grateful to be living in Canada where we do not expect almost everyone we come across to be carrying a gun. A gun in a woman’s handbag, in the glove box, and the waistband for men. Some of them have a half a dozen guns throughout their house. To me, that is far more scary than seeing drug addled people huddled in an alley.
Violence begets violence. This is a quote attributed to Martin Luther King, but there is more to it. The actual quote is “Hate begets hate; violence begets violence, toughness begets a greater toughness”.
Therefore the moral of the story is to love one another. The bible tells us to love God, to love one another, to love our brother, to love our neighbour, and to turn the other cheek.
The bible also tells us the meek shall inherit the earth, and the just shall live by faith. God is our protector and our defender. Truthfully, there is probably a far greater spiritual battle swirling around us than anything else.
Certain Christian nationalists, and extremist mindsets believe in violence, war, self-defence etc. But the bible tells us to put on the full armour of God. In these verses, there is no mention of using physical weapons.
Ephesians 6:10-18
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
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