PAL Wait Time

[Swantonbomb]

90 days is nothing to sweat. I'm also in BC. Informed them on my application that I had a peace bond issued to me back in 2014 when I submitted my application in early Oct. 2017. I'm still waiting 22.5 months later. I'm hearing people getting them within a couple months, even someone in my C.O.R.E. course immigrated here from New Zealand (I think), and he said it took him something like 8 weeks to get his license.

The thing that ticks me off are the lame "please be patient, I'm sure it won't be much longer" responses. Can they not tell you if someone is currently looking at it? If they have questions? Where they are in the review? Or is it just sitting at the bottom of the ever-growing stack of applications? I call in monthly, and I get the same response, and they claim to make a note for the CFO to inform them that I enquired about the status. But I'm still sitting here, waiting anxiously for a call, or that envelope in my mail box.

I’m very sorry to hear that. That is completely unacceptable. If I were you I would want them to at least make a decision, even if it is denied. That way I could either a) move on or b) start the appeal process (whatever that looks like).

The worst thing about it is that we have absolutely no recourse. They have all the power and all we can do is wait...

 

[RYoung]

I’m very sorry to hear that. That is completely unacceptable. If I were you I would want them to at least make a decision, even if it is denied. That way I could either a) move on or b) start the appeal process (whatever that looks like).

The worst thing about it is that we have absolutely no recourse. They have all the power and all we can do is wait...

Sad but true. I've heard that there are some individuals that have a criminal history, some violent and with weapons who still get their legitimate firearms license. I don't know if they pulled any shady deals or what, but apparently it does happen. I don't know if they're waiting until it's officially been 5 years since the peace order was ordered so that it's technically not "within the past 5 years", but who knows. A real answer would be muchly appreciated.

 

[Mach3tt3]

Update 2019-08-16: sent an e-mail to follow-up. CFO guy says he will transfer my file to those conducting interviews. I was called the same day, but missed it.
2019-08-21: all interviews completed and RPAL was approved over the phone and got my # by e-mail as well!

Total time from reception at Miramichi to RPAL approval: 105 days (Quebec)

2019-08-30: physical card received. Finally!

 

[Swantonbomb]

This is true! I know someone personally who has his RPAL who has a criminal history, some of it armed robbery! It was more than 5 years though. I have never asked him how long it took to process his licence but he never mentioned it being any trouble.

 

[airakkaz]

Update: FINALLY!

August 7th: One of my references and I get called by the SQ (Quebec firearms officer) and asked a few questions. I'm told that my other reference's number is invalid and that he just needs to talk to him and my application would be okay. I try to contact them and they say they will call soon. I open my status every day and it stays unchanged. 2 weeks pass and I'm forced to ridiculously pressure them until they assure me they will not forget to call.
August 30th: Status changes to: Your application has been processed and your licence has been issued. If you have not received your licence within 2 weeks please contact the Canadian Firearms Program Toll Free number. (1-800 731-4000).

Total day count: 170 days
Without the delay this would've taken 147 days.
45 days, my ass
I called the firearms officer and he gave me my expiry date and license number without any problem.

 

[Vlad_J]

I've been waiting for my PAL/RPAL renewal since April 2018. I've been following up and they say it's with the Alberta CFO and there's nothing they can do but tell them I've called again.
They also said this kind of waiting time is normal.
This crap would never fly in the private sector.

 

[RYoung]

This is true! I know someone personally who has his RPAL who has a criminal history, some of it armed robbery! It was more than 5 years though. I have never asked him how long it took to process his licence but he never mentioned it being any trouble.

I'm wondering if they would wait until 5 years after it was served to me. kind of like not having it declared on my application since it wasn't "within the last 5 years". But I doubt it. A more likely scenario is that they're not doing anything until the upcoming election in October.

 

[CyprusTM]

My upgrade to rpal

June 16 application received
July 13 credit card charged
August 27 Application approved
September 3 Card arrived in the mail.

Never called them, and they did not call any of the references.

Now to go shopping

 

[Damgam74]

Soon to be 7 months of waiting in Alberta

 

[RYoung]

Soon to be 7 months of waiting in Alberta

23 months in BC for me

Have you contacted your MP? I emailed mine on June 15th and never got a reply. I just emailed them again, hopefully will get a response. I also contacted the CCFR to see what their team suggests. They say that this is a national issue and one they will aim to resolve should a pro-gun government be elected. But they said all I can do is try to get in touch with my MP either through email or going directly to their office, and if that doesn't work, maybe look into taking legal action against the RCMP. I don't see what I would be taking them to court for, or if it's worth my time/money. But they said that's probably the only real option at this time.

 

[RYoung]

I got a reply from the CCFR in response to asking what I would take the RCMP to court over and this is their response. Hopefully it helps anyone who's still waiting.

"The legal action would be an application called Mandamus, literally a court order to the RCMP to do their statutory duty/government function (in this case giving you a decision on your PAL application instead of continuing to sit on it). You would need an administrative law lawyer, or a senior civil litigator, in your jurisdiction for this. Hopefully an in-person visit to your MP’s office will be fruitful and you can avoid having to resort to legal measures. This is why we need an ombudsman for the CFP."

 

[Glenn65]

I'm new here. Been keeping an eye on this thread while I went through my application. Thought I'd post my timeline as well.
Im in BC and I'm PR. (Belgian national) 3 years in the country, 6 months since PR status. So I had to provide references from my home country as well as police certificates

July 4th application sent
July 8th application received
July 23rd application online (being processed)
August 1st received mail that my payment didn't go through. Called same day to repay and she bumped me to the next person (now "in progress" online)
August 27th called in to see progress; lady said my application had been with cfo since early august
September 14th approved

 

[Damgam74]

I got a reply from the CCFR in response to asking what I would take the RCMP to court over and this is their response. Hopefully it helps anyone who's still waiting.

"The legal action would be an application called Mandamus, literally a court order to the RCMP to do their statutory duty/government function (in this case giving you a decision on your PAL application instead of continuing to sit on it). You would need an administrative law lawyer, or a senior civil litigator, in your jurisdiction for this. Hopefully an in-person visit to your MP’s office will be fruitful and you can avoid having to resort to legal measures. This is why we need an ombudsman for the CFP."

Wow that sucks I was going to call again this week to the CFO and if not I'll try going to my local MP. Getting a lawyer involved would suck but I have the perfect guy . Just more money to be thrown at this. Honestly worth it tho to spite them in the end lol . But rifle season opened today and I'm still waiting. Hunting trip planned for months and they even know about it.

 

[RYoung]

Wow that sucks I was going to call again this week to the CFO and if not I'll try going to my local MP. Getting a lawyer involved would suck but I have the perfect guy . Just more money to be thrown at this. Honestly worth it tho to spite them in the end lol . But rifle season opened today and I'm still waiting. Hunting trip planned for months and they even know about it.

Right? I've already spent the money to take the exam, photo, postage, processing, and now I might have to pay a lawyer to tell the CFO to do their job?!?!?! That's ridiculous. My bosses go duck hunting every season, and I tagged with them a couple times last year. Such a blast! I'm hoping I'll be able to get in on it this year with my own gear, but it all comes down to the CFO saying yes or no.

 

[Damgam74]

Right? I've already spent the money to take the exam, photo, postage, processing, and now I might have to pay a lawyer to tell the CFO to do their job?!?!?! That's ridiculous. My bosses go duck hunting every season, and I tagged with them a couple times last year. Such a blast! I'm hoping I'll be able to get in on it this year with my own gear, but it all comes down to the CFO saying yes or no.

Like wtf is the hold up? Read it and make a decision,

 

[Swantonbomb]

I got a reply from the CCFR in response to asking what I would take the RCMP to court over and this is their response. Hopefully it helps anyone who's still waiting.

"The legal action would be an application called Mandamus, literally a court order to the RCMP to do their statutory duty/government function (in this case giving you a decision on your PAL application instead of continuing to sit on it). You would need an administrative law lawyer, or a senior civil litigator, in your jurisdiction for this. Hopefully an in-person visit to your MP’s office will be fruitful and you can avoid having to resort to legal measures. This is why we need an ombudsman for the CFP."

This is valuable info thank you for sharing

 

[Swantonbomb]

Does anyone know if you can change your application from an RPAL to a PAL? PAL is the one I really want so I can hunt this season, but was advised to get both if I have any desire to get into handguns one day. I just wonder if my application is under more scrutiny because it is an RPAL, and if it is possible to change it to a PAL app.

 

[Gele Donut]

Does anyone know if you can change your application from an RPAL to a PAL? PAL is the one I really want so I can hunt this season, but was advised to get both if I have any desire to get into handguns one day. I just wonder if my application is under more scrutiny because it is an RPAL, and if it is possible to change it to a PAL app.

If anything it would probably just make everything worse. You are in the system so short of maybe bugging your MP there isn't much you can do. I think mine took 10 months over a ticked box and after all the waiting and hassle they didn't even call my references I just had a 2 minute call with the CFO and my license was in my mailbox a couple of days later. It's nice to have the RPAL anyway even if you don't plan on needing you never know and why go through all this hassle again down the road if you ever want it?

 

[Disgruntled]

Does anyone know if you can change your application from an RPAL to a PAL? PAL is the one I really want so I can hunt this season, but was advised to get both if I have any desire to get into handguns one day. I just wonder if my application is under more scrutiny because it is an RPAL, and if it is possible to change it to a PAL app.

I changed from my PAL renewal to my RPAL application and i can guaranty you that they started all over again my process.

 

[mhintay]

4.5 months and still waiting. 1 box ticked. Looks like this is gon be a long haul type of situation for me. Gon try e-mailing the CFO soon, instead of the usual calls and see if that does anything. If not, an e-mail to my local MP will be sent out. After that, I have no idea what else I can do.