Re: Misuse of bear spray (Canada)

Criminals are using bear spray in assaults and robberies: Nanaimo RCMP

The Nanaimo Daily News June 5, 2010
NANAIMO — Nanaimo RCMP say the use of bear spray has become too common as police and safety advocates in several communities across the country call for stricter regulations on buying the substance.

In Nanaimo, police say the noxious repellant winds up in the hands of criminals and is being used in assaults or robberies. Police are also seeing a rise in the number of young people unleashing cannisters of the spray at gatherings. Dozens of incidents involving bear spray have occurred in the last year.

Bear spray is a respiratory irritant that can severely affect children or the elderly. Its use is regulated by the federal government but provinces are to regulate product sales, which can vary.

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Criminals+using+bear+spray+assaults+robberies+Nanaimo+RCMP/3118248/story.html

Apparently smaller self-defense pepper sprays aren't legal in Canada for normal civilians. Law enforcement has access, and those with permits can get them. However - the larger and more potent bear sprays are legal, easier to obtain, and don't seemingly require permits.

It doesn't sound like the situation is much different than California law several years ago. I had a friend who took a teargas course at a local community college. On completion, he was issued a permit that allowed him to carry anything from pepper spray to real teargas.

Canuck on Canuck. What's the problem??

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Old Dude

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mrcondron
Canuck on Canuck. What's the problem??

Wind drift.