Offensive Weapons and Explosive Substances Laws in Canada

The charge of Offensive Weapons and Explosive Substances can be found under Offences Against Air or Maritime Safety in the Criminal Code. According to s.78 (1) of the Code, you can face this charge if you board a civil aircraftAll aircraft other than those operated by Canadian enforcement agencies with an offensive weapon or any explosive substance without the consent of the owner or operator of the aircraft. You can also be charged if the consent was granted, but you are not complying with all terms and conditions on which the consent was given. This law applies to everyone except peace officers, including police and other law enforcement agents.

Section 2 of the Code defines a weapon as anything that can be used to cause death or injury to others or an object or device that is designed to look like a weapon. Examples of weapons include firearms, explosives, BB guns, paint guns, crossbows, longbows, swords, prohibited blades, combat knives, brass knuckles and Tasers. It also includes replicas or imitation firearms, including toys. For a complete weapons list, refer to the Regulations Prescribing Certain Firearms and other Weapons, Components and Parts of Weapons, Accessories, Cartridge Magazines, Ammunition and Projectiles as Prohibited or Restricted in the Code.