Article content continued

“I have to carry pepper spray with me because people are so freaking violent over here,” Yaniv said during the debate.

She then stood up from her seat in front of her computer, rummaged around inside her apartment for a moment before returning.

“I should not have to literally have something like this,” she said. “I don’t need to be scared in my own house.” She then held up a stun gun and zapped it towards the camera, emitting a flash and a crackle.

“Which is illegal in Canada. Just sayin,” she added.

Photo by Blair White/Youtube

Conducted energy weapons, also known as stun guns or by the brand name Taser, as well as pepper spray are considered prohibited weapons in the hands of the public. Bear spray is legal in the context of protecting oneself against a bear attack.

Yaniv, however, said her arrest and the police search are unfair because she has repeatedly told police about her stun guns and repellent sprays, saying they are for her personal protection.

She said that several times when the RCMP, which provides municipal policing in Langley, came to take her reports of harassment or threats, she warned them she had weapons in the home.

“I say: ‘Hey, you know what, for your safety and for my safety, I do have weapons in the house, I do have a Taser, it’s locked up, if you want to see it, I’ll show it to you.’

“They’ve all seen it, they’re all cool with it and now all of a sudden they are not cool with it.”

The RCMP could not confirm these alleged prior interactions. Largy said she was looking into the allegations.