This dude is in big trouble.

[Mdiddi]

I think you said it right Joepa that if you confront him and he comes charging you can use the weapon of opportunity which in this case would be your pepper spray. You carry it for bears and pests. Your age, remoteness, abilities, and what else you had available would all become factors. Change the scenario and you are downtown Toronto for a night at the theatre with the spray you might have a harder time articulating resorting to the spray. Why did you have it.

All of us on here probably carry a knife of some sort because of our lifestyle. It's not for protection it's for doing what we love. If you use it to defend yourself it's a weapon of opportunity the same as a fishing net, shovel, walking stick. ... would be.

People often say the old line fight or flight. Often forgotten is submit which is actually the other option even in nature. Animals and people just submit sometimes.

[Waftrudnir]

It's my understanding that having bear spray is legal in Ontario - when checked at the border the agents see what I have and say that it's ok - I always have a can or two with me when I go camping and fishing - If I see some punk stealing my fishing equipment out of my boat some night while its docked I'm going to confront the punk and if he makes any move in my direction he's getting a face full of bear spray - naturally I felt that the punk was going to harm me so I acted in self-defense - you really think the punk is going to the cops and tell them that he got sprayed while trying to steal something - I don't think so - and if by chance he does you going to tell me that I'm in trouble - things can't be that bad in Ontario - I sure hope not because if they are I ain't going there anymore - because I ain't going to stand around while some punk steals from me - no way

This is exactly why, I responded to your post!
The punk will certainly tell someone, because after getting a full canister of bear spray in the face he will spend some time in the ER... Again this is not a tiny dose of low concentration pepper spray (not that it were legal either).
http://www.ottawasun.com/2014/02/05/...r-pepper-spray

[JoePa]

[QUOTE=Oddmott;956608]You've been coming to Ontario for how long JoePa?

I bet you've NEVER had cause to use firearm nor bear spray in self defense against a thief. But you'd get bent out of shape if it did turn out to be illegal? Lol[/QUOT

I worked for awhile in Ontario back in the late 50's and early 60s - been going to Canada to fish since then - I carry bear spray because I often camp and fish in areas where there are bears and wolfs - that's why I have it - now if some occasion arose where I needed it for self defense I would use it - have I personally used a firearm or bear spray while up there - the answer is no - but I read all the time of people being ripped off by punks stealing everything not bolted down - I wouldn't be walking around Toronto with the spray but then I was in Toronto only twice in my life - try to stay away from that place

So many of the laws up here seem to be made to protect the criminal rather than the victim

[fishermccann]

Up here, if you use TOO much force, you become the criminal, rather than the victim. So it should be.

[jaycee]

Up here, if you use TOO much force, you become the criminal, rather than the victim. So it should be.

I can't believe that statement, by it you are just giving criminals "carte blanche" to do whatever they want with you.

[fishermccann]

How so? The courts decide what is excessive force, not the one handing it out. Someone is stealing your pencil, but are no physical threat to you, you then beat them within an inch of their life, you are charged for the beating , they are charged with the theft , how is this wrong?

[Obi-wanShinobi]

I would have videotaped the whole thing and called the cops.

I need a new truck anyway and that's why I pay insurance.

[jaycee]

Now we are going down , down to only stealing pencils , here I thought this thread was more about stealing auto's, something to fight over .
However if I decide to beat the snot out of whoever is trying to steal "my stuff" , that is entirely "up to me " not for you to decide what I should do , or for you to worry about.

[fishermccann]

I was being facetious , please change pencil to car, truck or boat, whatever. Yes very true, but and when you are charged, pay, do time for it , don't complain, because the law clearly states you cannot do that. So it should be.

[jaycee]

My family, my property, my decision , mine only and I will do as I see fit at the time , I know what the law states and how it works , Leo's in the family and friends , thank you for your concern , now "say goodnight"!