We’ve been having a debate about self-defence and castle laws in Canada over the past few months. Some are saying we need to pass castle law legislation while others say that’s not the Canadian way.

Both sides in that debate are wrong because a castle law already exists in Canada and is an ancient right under Common Law. It goes back to at least 1604 and a case in England decided by Sir Edward Coke, a judge and then attorney general of England.

“The house of every one is to him as his Castle and Fortress as well for defence against injury and violence,” Coke wrote . “But if theeves come to a mans house to rob him, or murder, and the owner or his servants kill any of the theeves in defence of himself and his house, it is no felony, and he shall lose nothing.”

That was passed on to Cana

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