r/canadaguns • u/rastamasta45 • Mar 17 '26

News / Politics / Activism 3 suspects sought in Vaughan break-in, homeowner who fired gun at them not being charged

https://www.cp24.com/local/york/2026/03/17/3-suspects-sought-in-vaughan-break-in-homeowner-who-fired-gun-at-them-not-being-charged/
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u/LurkerGarry Mar 17 '26

Correct me if I’m wrong, but you do have the right to use a firearm to self defence in Canada if you feel like your life and the lives of others in the home are in danger. You’re just not allowed to chase and fire at someone retreating your home or property.

But if you do, you still need to prove in a court of law that you used your firearm lawfully correct? I can’t seem to find cases where people used their firearm to defend themselves and have gone to jail for doing so.

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u/FuzzyLampShade Mar 17 '26

Well it’s sort of in a grey area atm. We don’t yet have a castle law like in the states or parts of Europe. Usually depends if the police decide to charge you for using a firearms or any object in self defense. If you do get charged then you get financially fucked trying to argue in a court that you had no other options. It gets worse and more expensive if you end up killing an intruder and you’ll likely get charged and sent to jail for manslaughter.

TLDR; sort of yes, but actually no.

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u/RYRK_ Mar 18 '26

It gets worse and more expensive if you end up killing an intruder and you’ll likely get charged and sent to jail for manslaughter.

Citation needed. If it was self-defense the Crown will drop charges due to likelihood of conviction.