Buying pepper spray in Canada
May 8, 2010 6:57 AM Subscribe
Where can I buy pepper spray online in Canada?
This summer, I'm going to be spending a lot of time in an area of Toronto that is not so great. I'm not from there, but a friend who is suggested I invest in some pepper spray and avoid walking at night. The latter should be easy enough to do, but I have no experience with buying anything like pepper spray, I'm not sure what the laws are (other than that it seems to be sold as "dog repellant"), and I don't want to end up buying something on ebay that is not entirely legal, or that will cause long-term damage in the off chance that I end up having to use it.
Any suggestions?
This summer, I'm going to be spending a lot of time in an area of Toronto that is not so great. I'm not from there, but a friend who is suggested I invest in some pepper spray and avoid walking at night. The latter should be easy enough to do, but I have no experience with buying anything like pepper spray, I'm not sure what the laws are (other than that it seems to be sold as "dog repellant"), and I don't want to end up buying something on ebay that is not entirely legal, or that will cause long-term damage in the off chance that I end up having to use it.
Any suggestions?
Whoops sorry, meant to include a source.
Part 3, #1.
posted by Lemurrhea at 7:25 AM on May 8, 2010 [1 favorite]
Part 3, #1.
posted by Lemurrhea at 7:25 AM on May 8, 2010 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Ah, okay, thanks.
Is there a legal alternative?
posted by torisaur at 7:30 AM on May 8, 2010
Is there a legal alternative?
posted by torisaur at 7:30 AM on May 8, 2010
Which area of Toronto are you going to be in?
posted by modernnomad at 7:54 AM on May 8, 2010
posted by modernnomad at 7:54 AM on May 8, 2010
This is a "self defense" product http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.26347
This is a "google maps" of reported crimes in Toronto http://spotcrime.com/on/toronto
Toronto has really low crime rate http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime_in_Toronto
posted by PowerCat at 8:14 AM on May 8, 2010
This is a "google maps" of reported crimes in Toronto http://spotcrime.com/on/toronto
Toronto has really low crime rate http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime_in_Toronto
posted by PowerCat at 8:14 AM on May 8, 2010
Response by poster: I'm doing research with Somali immigrants in Toronto, so I'll be around Rexdale in Etobicoke. As I said, I don't know that part of Toronto (though I guess it's more GTA than Toronto proper) well, so I'm going on second hand information that it's not a great area.
posted by torisaur at 8:16 AM on May 8, 2010
posted by torisaur at 8:16 AM on May 8, 2010
Best answer: Rexdale's not that scary. Not scary enough to risk arrest for carrying pepper spray, at any rate.
posted by scruss at 9:03 AM on May 8, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by scruss at 9:03 AM on May 8, 2010 [1 favorite]
... that said, it's like any big city. Be careful. Walk with your eyes and ears open. Finch Ave W has a reputation for scariness, which I just don't get. You'll just be inside Toronto, so enjoy the food and the (not quite world class) transit.
posted by scruss at 9:13 AM on May 8, 2010
posted by scruss at 9:13 AM on May 8, 2010
FYI bear spray only comes in giant cans so that it's unlikely you'll keep it concealed on your person.
posted by furtive at 12:58 PM on May 8, 2010
posted by furtive at 12:58 PM on May 8, 2010
I assume you'll be working in the high-rise apartments near Dixon and Kipling? I spent a good chunk of last summer helping to run a tutoring programme for immigrant kids (mostly Somali) in that complex. It was great and totally safe (well, anything can happen anywhere, but basically fine). Assuming you're female -- wear culturally appropriate clothing, of course, modest tops, that sort of thing.
I don't know if you're from the States or Canada. If the former: Do. Not. Worry. Only the very roughest neighbourhoods in downtown Toronto and Hamilton are anything like the urban US in terms of violence. Dixon/Kipling is not one of those places.
Like scruss says, keep your eyes and ears open, be aware of where you are and who's around you.
And have fun! I loved getting to know the kids and families in that complex. I didn't have any experience with the Somali culture before I went in, but they're incredibly generous and friendly.
Send me a MetafilterMail if you've any other questions about my experience.
posted by tivalasvegas at 1:17 PM on May 8, 2010
I don't know if you're from the States or Canada. If the former: Do. Not. Worry. Only the very roughest neighbourhoods in downtown Toronto and Hamilton are anything like the urban US in terms of violence. Dixon/Kipling is not one of those places.
Like scruss says, keep your eyes and ears open, be aware of where you are and who's around you.
And have fun! I loved getting to know the kids and families in that complex. I didn't have any experience with the Somali culture before I went in, but they're incredibly generous and friendly.
Send me a MetafilterMail if you've any other questions about my experience.
posted by tivalasvegas at 1:17 PM on May 8, 2010
I have a can of bear spray that a friend gave me when I was being stalked. It's not a giant can at all (about the size of a bottle of shaving cream). It really gave me peace of mind (although I didn't carry it around with me, just kept it in my apartment as a tool for self-defense should it have come to that).
posted by whalebreath at 4:43 PM on May 8, 2010
posted by whalebreath at 4:43 PM on May 8, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
Don't.
posted by Lemurrhea at 7:22 AM on May 8, 2010 [1 favorite]