"VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - It is called the Castle Doctrine, as in "your home is your castle". Many US states legally allow the use of force in defending your home. Some high-profile cases north of the border have opened up debate over how much force should be allowed in Canada. The National Post lists some incidents, such as the man who started shooting when his house was being firebombed by masked men and another who shot a thief riding off on his ATV. There's also the shopkeeper in Toronto who tied up and held a repeat shoplifter. That kind of self defense often ends up in charges against the defender. There have been more calls for a Canadian version of the Castle Doctrine, but on the streets of Vancouver, not everyone's a fan. "No, I don't believe in guns or anything like that. Maybe I'm not prepared in this day and age because there is a lot of 'badness' going on, but definitely no weapons," says one man. Another says people can always call 911. "I mean, I don't see why they need a gun or a knife or anything." Canada does allow claims of self defence using force, within reason."Most individuals in Canada who choose to defend their home from intrusion and theft in Canada are charged by the police and later the crown attorney. We all have the right and the human instinct to defend ourselves and loved ones from bodily harm, not as Canadians but as human beings. For most of us this is very simple. Unfortunately the liberal government wants your home invader, thief or rapists to be rehabilitated in our prison systems are re-released into society.
One of the most publicized news stories of a man being charged with defending his home happened right in my back yard.
Ian Tompson of Port Colborne, Ont. a former firearms instructor was charged with scaring away masked men trying to burn down his home with molitav cocktails. The tool he used to scare the arsonists away was a pistol. Ian Tompson went to his revolved, came outside and fired two warning shots in the air. No one was harmed and the masked men stopped trying to burn Ian Tompsons house down.
When the Niagara Regional police arrived at Mr.Tompsons home, they charged him multiple offenses including unsafe storage of a firearm. The crown has now recommended Ian Tompson go to jail for defending his home and his pets. The crown feels that Mr.Tompson should have stayed in his burning home while more firebombs were thrown and waited for the police to arrive.
For most of us its a very easy choice. For the Canadian courts and their stance on self defense not so much.
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