It is forbidden to obtain a weapon for the purpose of self-defense. Canadian law does not allow this. However, a minority of residents of the northeast of Montreal decided to do so recently. Young professionals or mothers, they have their license to carry a weapon or wish to obtain it. Their profile in no way matches that of notorious criminals.
Montrealers have agreed to confide in Press on condition of remaining anonymous. Many are aware that procuring a weapon for self-defense is not permitted, while others do not want their neighborhood to learn that they have a license to possess and acquire a weapon.
Anastasia *, a mother from Montreal-North who recently settled in Saint-Léonard, had had enough of the cartridge cases found in the park or on the side of a sidewalk. “When you hear the gunshots or it’s near your house, you really get scared of the stray bullet. ”
She made her decision last January. She begins the procedures to obtain a license to carry a weapon. She is aware that it is against the law to procure a pistol with the tusk as the target. It is also forbidden to carry a weapon for license holders, except when traveling to a recreational activity, such as a shooting center.
Weapons have become so commonplace in my area that I say to myself: why not learn and have this security at home? Maybe it’s in my head, but by dint of hearing about it, I took the leap.
Anastasia *, mother of Montréal-Nord recently established in Saint-Léonard
To reassure
Is the insecurity felt by some Montrealers causing the proliferation of gun carrying? Is an American-style gun culture taking hold in Quebec? Not quite, thinks Emmanuel *, a father in his late thirties. The steps to obtain a license to possess and acquire a weapon were initiated long before the media coverage of the shootings. “In my case, it’s a personal interest. I have friends who go hunting and I would love to go. ”
But knowing how to handle a weapon reassures him, he admits. Especially in a context of insecurity in certain corners of the metropolis. “I did not do it to defend myself, but it weighs in the balance to tell me that if what happens, I know how it is [une arme] works. It’s true that I feel more secure. ”
He and his wife will soon be moving to the suburbs. “We already had this plan. But with what is happening in Montreal, we have accelerated it for our children, ”explains the 37-year-old man.
A stray bullet can happen to anyone.
Emmanuel *, father
For his wife Sarah *, the motive is clear: the numerous shootings pushed her to learn to handle a weapon. She wants to protect herself if a danger arises in her home or in her yard.
“I hope I don’t have to, but I don’t understand what’s going on in Montreal,” she says. Originally from the Saint-Michel district, she has always been wary of firearms. The shootings are not new, but they now happen at all hours of the day. “I see it the same. It’s better to have something than to have nothing. I also want to take self-defense classes. It won’t reassure me 100%, but it’s already a start. ”
Laurie * also has her license. But conversely, she warns anyone that pistols should not be used for protection. The seriousness of the steps that she considers to be well supervised made her realize that one should not take arms lightly. “I’ve always heard of guns, it’s always been something that interested me. I took it a little more lightly. But since I took the course, I understand how dangerous it is. We make you understand the dangers, even if it remains recreational. This is not a game or a joke, nor something to defend against. ”
* Fictitious names