Can you legally carry a sword or knife in Canada?

Are you wondering if it’s legal to carry a sword or knife in Canada? With seemingly constant newspaper headlines and endless media coverage of violent crime in Canada and around the world, the question of how people can legally defend themselves in potentially life-threatening situations is both troubling and obvious. Firearms regulations in Canada are much stricter than in the United States, of course. But what about knives or swords? Can you legally carry a knife or sword in Canada?

But maybe self-defence isn’t the reason someone wants or needs a knife or a sword in the first place. Perhaps they’re a collector, a cosplayer, or even a martial artist. As well, for members of the Sikh religion in Canada, maybe they have a ceremonial dagger known as a kirpan that they wear as part of their religious and cultural practices.  The same goes for certain groups of aboriginal peoples in Canada who have used multi-purpose bladed tools called “ulu” knives. 

(Source: Statistics Canada) 

While weapons legislation in Canada mainly deals with the ownership, manufacture, and storage of firearms, there are plenty of bladed weapons that you can’t own, let alone carry, on the streets of Canadian cities and towns. 

Carrying visible knives

But some Canadian cities have taken it upon themselves to regulate the carrying of knives on their streets. In Calgary and Airdrie in Alberta, for example, the cities have a public behaviour bylaw that prohibits carrying visible knives under punishment of a fine. The same bylaws deal with fighting, spitting, urinating, and defecating in public. These bylaws go beyond the criminal code prohibitions on concealed weapons, banning the open carrying of knives whether they’re fixed bladed and carried in a sheath.   

In Brandon, Manitoba, the city has a bylaw banning the carrying of an unconcealed knife longer than seven centimetres. The bylaw makes exceptions for hunters and fishermen and chefs and allows for the transport of knives from stores after purchase or to repair shops for sharpening. It also makes exceptions for people with knives that are “required as part of one religious faith or forms part of one ceremonial attire.” 

(Source: Statistics Canada) 

Canada Border Services Agency

As well, private organizations often have their own policies about carrying weapons on their premises and will likely post signs about knives being disallowed when on their property. The Montreal Comicon, for example, has its own “weapons master” who can confiscate props brought in as part of peoples’ costumes.

The convention’s website notes that something that’s illegal on Canadian streets is also illegal on convention grounds. Even legal weapons, such as metal swords, can get confiscated and be grounds to throw someone out. The convention’s weapons master is responsible for examining weapons and determining their admissibility and can order certain items to be turned into the event’s “weapons check” area. 

Carry a sword or knife in Canada

The Montreal Comicon takes its cues from the Canada Border Services Agency, which has its own guide to prohibited weapons posted online. The CBSA has detailed information about what constitutes a prohibited bladed weapon, with explanations about butterflies also known as “balisong” knives, as well as weapons that are designed to look like “innocuous” objects. These knives include “knife combs” and other concealed blades under 30 centimetres, some of which are made to look like credit cards, lipstick cases, and regular pieces of jewellery. 

(Source: Statistics Canada) 

Prohibited Bladed Weapons in Canada

The Criminal Code of Canada, somewhat surprisingly, doesn’t explicitly say that you can’t own or carry a knife or sword, with a few exceptions. Many bladed weapons in Canada are prohibited due to their design, such as spring-loaded switchblades or gravity-assisted knives that open with a quick flick of the wrist. 

Knives and bladed weapons that open with the push of a button or centrifugal force also fall into that category, along with butterfly knives, brass knuckles, and shuriken throwing stars. Not all martial arts weapons are prohibited, such as katana blades and other swords, but nunchaku sticks (nunchucks) and “morning star” ball-and-chain weapons are banned. The same goes for blowguns, one-handed crossbows, tear gas, mace, and even certain spiked rings and bracelets.  

The distinction in Canadian criminal law is whether someone intends to use a knife or sword, such as a machete, as a tool versus using them as a weapon. The Criminal Code prohibits carrying concealed weapons, whether it’s a firearm or a menacing-looking dagger unless authorized by the Firearms Act.

Caught with a concealed weapon

Authorized people include police officers, armoured car employees, and military personnel. If you’re caught with a concealed weapon, you could end up being charged for offences that could land someone up to five years in jail. However, getting charged with a concealed weapon offence does not carry a distinction of what kind of weapon that may be, unless it’s expressly prohibited. 

Under Canadian criminal law, a weapon can be anything designed and carried for the purpose of injuring, immobilizing, intimidating, threatening, or causing death to another person.  Hypothetically, carrying a hunting knife on your belt that’s in full view of other members of the public won’t land you in trouble with the police. But that’s not to say it won’t under certain circumstances, and some knives such as so-called “constant companion” blades, which are concealed in a belt buckle, are prohibited weapons. 

(Source: Statistics Canada) 

A common misconception is that concealed knives in Canada are legal or legal depending on their length. There is no law banning knives depending on how long their blades are since the criminal prohibition is more focused on the intent of the carrier and whether the knife is prohibited or not. In essence, it would be easy to argue in court that a multi-tool like a Leatherman or Swiss Army Knife is more of a tool than a weapon. For someone caught with a switchblade or butterfly knife, that argument simply wouldn’t fly not only because those knives are illegal, but also because they hold very little if any utilitarian purpose. 

Carry a sword or knife in Canada

Canadian law has clear prohibitions on the carrying of concealed weapons, be it a gun or a knife, but carrying visible weapons like hunting knives or machetes might not land you in jail. But if you end up using one in a fight or confrontation, even in self-defence, police and prosecutors will likely have a hard time believing that the hunting knife on your belt had anything to do with an upcoming hunting trip.

While it may seem necessary to carry a weapon for self-defence, visible or concealed or otherwise, the law is more concerned with intent and utility, so carrying a knife or sword around is no doubt dangerous in more ways than one. 

Some people love to collect swords, such as katanas, as a hobby. Others prefer to carry knives for self-defence. But is it legal to carry them in Canada? 

Whatever the reason and type of blade, carrying knives is subject to legislation. So, before you take any blade with you, consider getting informed about the law.

The general rule

In Canada, carrying blades in public isn’t illegal as long as their purpose is:

• Practical.
• Not for self-defence.
• Not criminal.

So, if the knives have a practical purpose like hunting or carving wood, their transportation is legal. However, you have to be hunting or have other objects that justify the presence of those blades.

Carry a sword or knife in Canada

Some knives are legal because they’re structured as tools, so they’re considered “safe” under proper circumstances. For instance, sheathed, fixed blades, “one-handed,” and manually-opened knives are generally legal.

Moreover, it’s crucial to note that there is no limit to the length of the blade. Nevertheless, you need to have evidence that you’re trying to use it for practical purposes and not to commit a crime.

The illegal ones

Canadian law lists a few types of illegal blades under any circumstances and actively restricts the commerce of these blades. They’re mostly blades that are closer to being weapons than tools such as:

• Switchblades;
• Push daggers;
• Butterfly knives;
• Sharp objects that have protruding blades like rings;
• Belt-buckle knife;
• Hidden blades.

Some seemingly legal blades might fall under this illegal category. For example, some knives assisted by springs are closer to utility knives than switchblades or vice versa. If you want to carry a knife of that sort, it’s better to check if the model is legal or not.

Generally speaking, it isn’t legal if a blade can open automatically through gravity, buttons, springs, pressure, or centrifugal force.

Also, any blade shorter than 30 cm, hidden to not appear as a weapon, is illegal. For instance, lipstick, credit card, and cane knives are illegal.

What can get you in trouble

If you get caught carrying an illegal weapon, including an illegal blade like the ones above, you might get into legal trouble. The punishment might include jail time, fines, and seizing your knife. It might become even more severe if you have a criminal record or it’s not your first time being caught with blades.

Also, if you are carrying it in plain sight for no reason, you might attract the attention of law officers, even if it’s a legal blade.

Lastly, the most obvious reason that might get you in trouble is using the blade to commit a crime. So, threatening, intimidating, or attempting to hurt people, even jokingly, is punishable by law.

What do I do with my swords?

If you love collecting knives and swords of any kind, it’s best to keep them at home. Don’t carry them outside of a sheath, recklessly in public places. Just keep them at home, possibly in a safe display, locked away from kids and people who might not be healthy mentally.

But the same goes for kitchen knives. Try to keep sharp objects stored in a safe package.

If you even want to transport your blades from one place to another, try to have them packed and use a car to move them from one place to another.

Lastly, Canadian law doesn’t limit you from having almost any kind, length, and quantity of knives, as long as it’s on your property.

Carrying a knife in my car: is it legal?

According to local laws, you might be able to carry a knife in your car, depending on how long it is. The blade length can fluctuate from 2.5 inches to 12, but every region has its range. 

What do I do if I wish to have a blade for self-defence?

Canadian law doesn’t accept self-defence as a valid reason for publicly carrying dangerous weapons, such as knives. This is because most states don’t want to promote having tools that citizens could easily use to commit crimes and laws that might further sustain criminal behaviours.

If you really want to have a blade in your pocket, the best option might be a Swiss knife that functions as a practical tool and is the furthest from being a weapon. Nevertheless, officers might still charge you even with a tool like that.

So, unless you have other objects to justify your knife (like picnic objects), it’s better to try alternative self-defence methods.

Alternative self-defence

If you want to carry weapons for self-defence, you can, as long as you have a license. Nonetheless, even if you do get a permit, using your weapons is restricted to a crisis in which someone is threatening your life, and you necessarily have to use force to defend yourself.

Also, having a weapon license might make you more legally liable, and it can even bring risks to your family and yourself. For instance, if you don’t know how to store it properly, you can injure yourself and others.

So, how can you defend yourself legally?

Apart from fleeing a dangerous situation, you can learn self-defence techniques. You can take classes and implement a more alert approach when in public.

If you live in a dangerous area, consider moving away or having a car to commute to instead of walking.

Carry a sword or knife in Canada conclusion

In Canada, carrying knives in public isn’t illegal unless:

• They are prohibited knives.
• They’re used with the intent of harming someone or even for self-defence.
• They’re concealed.
• They are not utility knives (although even utility knives like Swiss knives can be interpreted as weapons).

We advise not to carry blades in public to avoid legal trouble, especially the illegal types. If you want to collect them, it’s better to keep them in your home, safely stored.

If you wish to carry them for self-defence, try not to, and employ other self-defence methods instead.

Depending on your district, you might be able to carry a knife in your car.

Lastly, when transporting blades, please keep them in safe storage, folded, and safely packaged. We hope you found this guide on if it’s legal to carry a sword or knife in Canada helpful.

Author: Cole Williams is an experienced freelancer and writer for Easy Essay. He’s specialized in administration, law, and civil rights topics. Cole also loves animals and travelling. So, every once in a while, he’ll be travelling the world with his two dogs, Andy and Jess.

You can learn more about funny Canadian laws below. The show was called “This Is The Law” and it ran on CBC.