Under the section 267(a) of the Criminal Code, an assault with a weapon is when a person, carries, uses, or threatens to use a weapon or an imitation weapon while committing an assault (visit our “assault” page for more info). Under section 2 of the Criminal Code, a “weapon” is defined as anything used, designed to be used, or intended for use: (a) in causing death or injury to any person, or (b) for the purpose of threatening or intimidating any person, and, without restricting the foregoing, includes a firearm. This means that under Canadian law, any object can be considered a weapon – not just items we traditionally think of as weapons, like knives or guns. As long as the object was used with the intent to injure or attempt to injure another person, it can be considered a weapon. Generally, if the person applies force directly or indirectly using an object, without the other person’s consent, they can be charged with assault with a weapon. Crimes involving the use of firearms (for example, a handgun) are considered much more serious.