Mace: is it legal in Calgary, where can I get some?

[mykalberta]

Whether its "legal" or not, get some - your protection comes before the protection of an attacker IMO.

Otherwise get a taser.

On the Bearspray, when I got mine I didnt have to sign any sort of contract at campers village, but unless it comes in a smaller container that can be fit in a pocket, its pretty much useless.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by fotze

I can't imagine bearspray being effective as it would likely get in your own eyes. Some idiot sprayed some many campsites over from us and it left all of us at our campsite gasping fro air. It was crazy, all of us were coughing and gasping all of a sudden. The girls were crying, it freaked us out. I can't imagine spraying it that close to you.

Ya, some girl I used to work with was showing her bear spray off to everyone and she sprayed some in the staff room. Everyone in the room was coughing and had burning eyes just from a tiny little squirt.

[firebug]

Campers village may still sell a smaller canister for 'small animal protection' that is small enough to fit on a key chain.

Since you are either a postal worker afraid of being bit by a dog, or a jogger near fish creek concerned about coyotes or cougars, you should be able to dispel any concerns the clerk may have about your purchase.

Best regards,

~firebug

In other words, get the protection if it will make you feel better.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by firebug

In other words, get the protection if it will make you feel better.

But you don't want a false sense of security either. While she's fumbling for her bear spray, she could be running.

To quote John Dore (paraphrasing): Being afraid is good. If we weren't afraid of things that could hurt us, we'd all try to skull-hump a rhino.

[PsYcNeT]

Spy City on 17th/8th sells Dog Spray (equivalent to Mace) for $20 for a small hand held (with a keychain!) canister than can easily be kept in a purse or pocket.

I bought some for my GF about a year ago and thankfully she hasn't had to use it yet.

Bear spray + human = big trouble (legally)

Dog spray + human = far less legal trouble

EDIT: you can also order lower (20,000v) voltage stun guns online from the states

[Ford Prefect]

Pepper spray is your ticket, and if questioned as to why you're carrying it just say you do a bit of hiking in the back country. As far as whether it's legal to spray a scum bag with it ... who cares. Better to sort out the legal issues afterwards than wind up dead or in the hospital. I rather doubt anyone is going to press the matter if you've used it in self defense to defuse a violent situation as you're going to have a lot of public sympathy on your side.

[FlamesAddiction]

Here's an alternative that may work if you're in a fix.

A friend of mine from Poland used to work in Germany. He told me that there were some skinhead groups that used to harass and sometimes attack foreign workers. To help protect themselves, if they were walking alone, they would either pretend to be talking on their cell phone, or at least just hold it in their hand. This would usually deter would-be villians from bothering them.

Which brings me to another point... Will no one walk with you to the train station?

[Flashpoint]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

A friend of mine from Poland used to work in Germany. He told me that there were some skinhead groups that used to harass and sometimes attack foreign workers. To help protect themselves, if they were walking alone, they would either pretend to be talking on their cell phone, or at least just hold it in their hand. This would usually deter would-be villians from bothering them.

Great advice. Does Calgary have anything like "Safewalk"? They used to have it at UofC and UBC where volunteers would walk you to the LRT or your car.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by Flashpoint

Great advice. Does Calgary have anything like "Safewalk"? They used to have it at UofC and UBC where volunteers would walk you to the LRT or your car.

Way back when I was in Hamilton going to university, there was a policy that after dark for women bus drivers would stop anywhere requested along their route. So if you lived between stops they would drop you off at your door.

[tete]

When I took a women's self defence course in Saskatoon years ago, the instructors - who were former Saskatoon city cops - said that using bear spray on a human kind of falls into a grey zone for prosecution - but the big thing about it is if they don't touch you and you spray them - you just assaulted them. If they're already harming you, chances are you can't get the bear spray off safely anyway.

I don't live far from you work and I won't take the LRT late evenings - I always go home and grab my car or drive to work so that I am not coming from the Crack mac's home. So I understand your concerns.

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by Flashpoint

Great advice. Does Calgary have anything like "Safewalk"? They used to have it at UofC and UBC where volunteers would walk you to the LRT or your car.

I think they have that at the UofA and UofC (not possitive UofC) but its more of a school thing.

[STAMPEDRED]

Originally Posted by Shakira

well I work at the donor clinic downtown and it is a long walk to the train station, and that station is not that safe either. I really love my job, and I don't want to quit

My wife works there too and she got one of those crazy alarms. Works best when she twirls it on her finger or somehow it accidently gets unconnected. Annoying to say the least, but i guess its better than nothing

[corporatejay]

Originally Posted by worth

They should be aware that if they use it against someone, they could be in a sticky situation.

I quoted this in another thread, but people need to be aware of the laws:


I know mace isn't going to cause death, but I think one of the main points is the criminal code pretty much says you need to be assaulted first in order to defend yourself. I'm not sure how maceing someone who hasn't yet attacked you, but looks like they probably will attack you will hold up in court. Maybe someone with a law background can explain further?

not a professional legal opinion but threat of violence is assault.

[FlamesAddiction]

The thing is, if someone is going to attack you, they are likely to sneak-up on you. You likely aren't going to have time to pull out your spray and orientate it the correct way. Then while you are being assaulted, there is a good chance that their face is just inches away from yours.

Bear spray or mace isn't a substitute for a good thumb in the eye or kick in the nuts.

[Rhetts_the_Best]

Originally Posted by Shakira

well I work at the donor clinic downtown and it is a long walk to the train station, and that station is not that safe either. I really love my job, and I don't want to quit

Well hopefully you get home safely, and if you don't mind me asking
what do you do?

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Burninator

I've never been a fan of solving a weapon problem with more weapons. Too much slippery slope potential I think.

No kidding, it's a very slippery slope. Let's face it, chances are that whoever is going to assault a woman is bigger/stronger than her anyway, and chances are things could get uglier if they are attacked themselves. The phone idea mentioned above is a good one...I've used it before. If you act like your busy doing something else, chances are, nobody will bother you. Personally, I always try to look a little crazy whenever I'm walking alone in a weird place. Crazy people are left alone.

My girlfriend on the other hand has a big-ass HAMMER under her bed, which i find quite hillarious considering her pretty small size. What's not hillarious is that she often forgets to lock her door.

[Shakira]

Thank you for your advice everyone. You guys have been awesome. I think I am going to avoid using bear spray. My supervisor at work told us they have asked the police to monitor the area more frequently, I'm considering taking a taxi to my car from now on

[maverickeastwood]

Originally Posted by Burninator

I've never been a fan of solving a weapon problem with more weapons. Too much slippery slope potential I think. Criminals can get away with no weapons right now robbing someone, just surprise and intimidation or maybe blunt object. Civilians start carrying mace or pepper spray and the criminals start carry knives. Civilians start carrying knives, criminals start carrying guns. etc. I would assume criminals would always want the upper hand on their victims.

Besides Canada doesn't have a large crime where civilians carrying weapons would be necessary. I can only see it creating more problems. Why fight a problem that doesn't really exist. Cue the anecdotal evidence.

Gun control doesn't work, the laws don't work and education is a joke. So now what? The self-defense laws are a farce and the judicial system is a revolving door. Point being, the field isn't level...I lawfully can't carry a weapon, they can. That can't be stopped, even with compounded laws.

If someone broke into my house, I pull a weapon, and cause harm or even death...I can be charged. I was told that if this was to happen, that the assailant has to be dispatched permanently. Even that can bring charges, with some difficulty though as there is no counter story.

I'm a guy, so it's way different. If you want trouble (I live downtown, west side), you'll find it. As for females, get someone to walk with you. Otherwise get some bear spray or a knife if your comfortable with it's use. As for anecdotal evidence, does it matter? If it was you involved in a situation, your tune would change awful fast.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by maverickeastwood

Gun control doesn't work, the laws don't work and education is a joke. So now what? The self-defense laws are a farce and the judicial system is a revolving door. Point being, the field isn't level...I lawfully can't carry a weapon, they can. That can't be stopped, even with compounded laws.

Wow, you make Canada sound like some sort of violent wasteland. Travel to Detroit or D.C or Camden and see what having laws to carry a gun to protect you leads to....

Trust me, Canada is way better off for not being full of gun fanatics.

[maverickeastwood]

Originally Posted by maverickeastwood

Gun control doesn't work, the laws don't work and education is a joke. So now what? The self-defense laws are a farce and the judicial system is a revolving door. Point being, the field isn't level...I lawfully can't carry a weapon, they can. That can't be stopped, even with compounded laws.

If someone broke into my house, I pull a weapon, and cause harm or even death...I can be charged. I was told that if this was to happen, that the assailant has to be dispatched permanently. Even that can bring charges, with some difficulty though as there is no counter story.

I'm a guy, so it's way different. If you want trouble (I live downtown, west side), you'll find it. As for females, get someone to walk with you. Otherwise get some bear spray or a knife if your comfortable with it's use. As for anecdotal evidence, does it matter? If it was you involved in a situation, your tune would change awful fast.

Table5, If your gonna quote, use the whole thing...