Carrying a Sgian Dubh

**The Supreme Canuck** · 26th March 06, 11:35 AM

Yeah. I hope it doesn't come to that, though.

**Iolaus** · 26th March 06, 12:23 PM

The best way to find out, would be to go to your local law enforcement agency and ask ... and if you're really worried, while your there, ask about what you'd need to do to get it in writing. Friendly advise is good, but official documents are better when Johnny Law has put you in front of the bench for a misunderstanding.

**The Supreme Canuck** · 26th March 06, 12:27 PM

Yeah, I think I'll go ahead and do that. Thanks a bunch.

**Blu (Ontario)** · 26th March 06, 01:29 PM

I've worn a sgian dubh in my sock in Ontario on numerous occasions and never had trouble over it. Typically I don't wear one to a restaurant, grocery store, a pub, or a house party, etc. but I do when dressing formally, or for highland games, etc. It's mostly for show.

**Tartan Hiker** · 26th March 06, 01:53 PM

Nick, you have PM.

**GlassMan** · 26th March 06, 03:11 PM

I wear mine constantly. It just looks good. And I've had no trouble at all about it. In fact, just this past Friday I was at the JCC in the locker room after my swim & water therapy for my leg and I was changing back into my kilt. Well, a Fairfax County police officer was also changing having finished his lifting. We chatted and he definitely saw me putting my sgian dubh down my sock, and he never said a word about it.

**The Supreme Canuck** · 26th March 06, 05:13 PM

Right, but this is Canada. Though, from what Blu says, it doesn't look to be a problem.

And now, since I'm going to be a law student in three years, I present the statutes:

89.

(1) Every person commits an offence who, without lawful excuse, carries a weapon, a prohibited device or any ammunition or prohibited ammunition while the person is attending or is on the way to attend a public meeting.

Seems to me that carrying a sgian dubh qualifies as a legal excuse, especially with the precedent set recently regarding the carrying of kirpans. Legal on the grounds that it's a religious thing. Sgian dubhs are a cultural thing.

90. (1) Every person commits an offence who carries a weapon, a prohibited device or any prohibited ammunition concealed, unless the person is authorized under the Firearms Act to carry it concealed.

Now, I doubt that a sgian dubh would be considered concealed, since you can see part of the handle at all times. Probably not a problem here.

So, the federal government doesn't seem to prohibit it, but I'm not sure about the province. So I think I'll still ask.