So are you saying that in Canada , you don't get a handgun licence for self defense purpose ? If that's the case, assuming that they give you a handgun licence only if you're a member of a club, why would they allow you to keep that handgun at home ?If the purpose was only to practice shooting in clubs, they could easily control handguns by requiring all participants to surrender them before leaving the premises of the club. Why would you need to carry the handgun outside the club ?
And how come that last years Harper was talking about the need of guns in rural areas for self defense against dangerous people ? If that was illegal to keep a gun at home for the purpose of self defense against people, why would a prime minister talk about it without opposition reminding him that this is illegal ?
Like Fuji said , the gun clubs would have to become like Fort Knox to store all of the hand guns there . It's not just about shooting a gun . You have to maintain it and you can't do that at a club . Why would I buy anything if I can't take it home with me . If you had to store all hand guns at a club it would be the law bidding citizens who would be doing that , You think a hood is going to lock up his gun and go get it when he wants it . If a hood owns a gun he's more than likely breaking the law in having one in the first place.
What Harper was saying was that people who live in the country do need some kind of protection whether it be a hand gun or what ever because it can take a while for the cops to arrive . Remember you are calling the cops when shit happens . A few minutes can mean the difference between life and death . Now if you use that gun whether it be a hand gun , shot gun or rifle for self defense be prepared to get arrested and have your stuff confiscated . That is automatic . It's going to cost you thousands to go to court but you will get off if it really was for self defense . You can use what ever you want to defend yourself , your family and your property but with in reason .
Why would any one spend a lot of money for a hand gun if you don't belong to a club . You'll never be able to shoot it . Being a member of a club allows you to use the gun , see how it works and let's you get used to it . A person who is getting good experience in using his or her gun is a safer person . What good is it to buy a hand gun and lock it up in your safe and not use it . You don't know how it works and how to use it in a safe manner . I'll just by this gun , lock it in my safe and take it out when I need it for protection . That's not how it works .
Belonging to a gun club before you have a hand gun is a good thing . Like I said before you'll need to go through the gun clubs safety course which is a good thing . The gun club also will make an application for your ATT to the province that you live in order for you to carry that hand gun ( in a safe manner ) back and forth from the gun club and gun store . Get caught downtown with a hand gun in your car at 2 in the morning ( even if it's locked up ) and your in big trouble even with an ATT.
There is nothing to stop you from using a hand gun for protection in your home if you own one but at least know how to use it . Knowing how to use a firearm in a safe manner is what gun clubs can teach you .
Now getting back to bear spray ... some people are happy with nothing , some want at least bear spray , others want a bit more for protection . It's all up to the individual . Everyone has different ideas when it comes to their safety and what they need .