Tories aim to loosen self-defence laws
Citizens Arrest and Self Defence Act to be reintroduced
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The federal government has pledged to alter Canada's laws governing self defence, with an eye to giving citizens increased latitude to protect themselves and their property.
In recent years, Canadians who have used violence - and especially firearms - have often faced criminal charges for their actions.
? ? When Ian Thomson awoke one night in August 2010 to find three men throwing firebombs at his rural home in Southwest Ontario, he got out his revolver and fired a few warning shots in the air, scattering the attackers. Police later seized his guns, and laid criminal charges of pointing a firearm and unsafe storage on the 53-year-old, while his assailants were charged with arson. The case is still before the courts.
? ? Only a small handful of Canadians in recent years - including jewelry store owner Dennis Galloway - have used a gun in self defence and were not charged as a result. When robbers burst into his shop in Port Alberni, B.C., and pointed a gun to his wife's head, Galloway took a pistol from his safe. The longtime target shooter killed one robber, and severely wounded the other. The RCMP recommended charges of unsafe storage and careless use of a firearm be laid against Galloway in the 2009 shooting, but the Crown refused.
The federal government has said it will move quickly to re-introduce the Citizens Arrest and Self Defence act, which was tabled in February but died on the order paper with the closure of the 40th Parliament.
The law would permit people threatened with violence to commit a reasonable act to protect themselves or others, as well as use force to protect their property from theft, damage or trespass.
Tories aim to loosen self-defence laws
