While I applaud your effort to set op straight, you reasoning here is convoluted and incorrect.

In short, PALs only govern firearms not vests. Self defense is never a qualifying reason to get your license or a gun, but self defence to defend yourself or another “from greivous bodily harm or death” qualifies as a reason for reasonable and proportionate force. If armed intruders put you or someone else in that specific situation, you can respond with violence using any means available, from the frozen tuna in your nighstand to the gun in its safe in your closet. As long as your application of force is reasonable, proportionate and defensive.

An hypothetical example for illustrated purposes only: armed intruders break into your home. You barricade yourself in your bedroom and lock the door. When they hit your door, you know hiding isn’t an option so you yell to warn them “ive called the police”. They keep busting down the door anyway. You have seconds left.

At this point, presuming you know they are armed, they have instigated a crime against you and you have reasonable fear for your life it is legal to pull the frozen tuna from your bedside freezer, the taxidermied swordfish off the wall, the baseball bat in the corner or a gun that was previously stored in accordance to Canadian regulations. There are many quick access safes designed for these scenarios. The intruder busts through, scans the room with a gun raised and points it at you. You have every right to defend yourself by whatever means are available.

Vests have some provincial restrictions I’m only casually familiar with. BC restricts them, others do not I think. Anyone can correct me. They are legal to buy, own, wear. Many canadian manufacturers are available. They don’t hurt anything but your back and wallet and offer very limited protection. You see tacticool mall ninjas in vests at gun ranges all the time. No violation here.