The Bill of Rights of 1688 contained, as its leading term, the right to bear arms. Back when Canada was technically still under English rule they allowed the citizens the right to bear arms for protection, so why not now?

According to the Canadian Charter of Rights And Freedoms, under the Constitution Act of 1982, under Legal Rights, Section 7; Life, Liberty and Security of Person: "Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice." Under Section 12; Treatment or Punishment: "Everyone has the right not to be subject to any cruel and unusual treatment or punishment."

When you read those 2 sections of the Canadian Charter of Rights And Freedoms, how can you argue that openly carrying a firearm is not safe? Would people commit crimes if they knew everyday citizens have the ability to stop them? I don't think so. We in Canada have what is called an "Authorization to Carry" license, however, the Provincial Chief Firearm Officers (CFO's) have agreed not to issue such licenses. The law in Canada says you can defend your life with equal force of your attacker, it also says the law acknowledges the possibility of an individual requiring a restricted handgun for protection from other individuals when police protection is insufficient.

It seems as if the government doesn't find human life valuable enough for Canadian citizens to obtain a legal permit to open carry. How can you defend your life with "equal force" if the person threatening your life has a gun & you don't? It seems like a double standard to allow Police, Attorneys, Judges, & Money couriers the right to bear arms for defensive purposes, but as private citizens, we don't have the right to do the same.