A Little Confused With the Whole Process

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MattG666

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My intent is to get my Unrestricted AND Restricted. So I have a few questions as to the steps/processes etc.

1. Are unrestricted and restricted licenses two totally separate things? From what I understand it's not a graduated system (ie. Restricted is not a higher level license than unrestricted. and getting one does not entitle you to use unrestricted). Is this correct?

2. Assuming that I was correct on #1, is it necessary to take the safety course for BOTH licenses, or is it better to just get the course for one of them because all the stuff carries over to the other type of firearm? (besides the obvious handling differences)

3. What are the wait times and paperwork like? How does the whole reference thing work?

4. Is it better to get one license and wait for the other? (I won't be buying more than one gun right away, so one of my licenses will be pointless at first).

5. I live in the Kitchener/Waterloo area, and Shooter's Choice (www.shooterschoice.com) was recommended as the place to get licensed. They seem to have all types of courses and not sure which ones I need (hence this thread)

6. Where is the best place to find the most relevant laws for owning firearms (storage and transportation laws)? There must be a million little obscure laws but I just want a 'gun laws for noobies' reference/link.

Sorry for the wall of text, but thanks to anyone and everyone who helps me out :D
 
see below

MattG666 said:
My intent is to get my Unrestricted AND Restricted. So I have a few questions as to the steps/processes etc.

1. Are unrestricted and restricted licenses two totally separate things? From what I understand it's not a graduated system (ie. Restricted is not a higher level license than unrestricted. and getting one does not entitle you to use unrestricted). Is this correct?

Unrestricted for rifles and shotguns mostly, restricted for handguns and some semi-automatic rifles as well as some other firearms. They are not totally separate things, but each has there own practical and theoretical tests which much be passed. Once you pass your RPAL, your license is 'bumped up' to include restricted firearms

2. Assuming that I was correct on #1, is it necessary to take the safety course for BOTH licenses, or is it better to just get the course for one of them because all the stuff carries over to the other type of firearm? (besides the obvious handling differences)

See above, the best thing to do is take the CFSC (nonrestricted) and CFRSC (restricted) course all in one weekend. The action types get kinda confusing for handguns, so the safety course can clear some of this up, and there are some funny things about revolvers that won't be covered in the non-restricted course. None of the safety courses are required, but there is information in the restricted course which you wouldn't derive from the non-restricted course

3. What are the wait times and paperwork like? How does the whole reference thing work?

Depends on the province my friends, Ontario can take 8 weeks I think? References attest to the kind of individual you are, and whether or not they believe you would be a threat to society. This check is in addition to a comprehensive background check. Yup, the paperwork is long and extensive, but nothing overly burdensome. Its mostly the waiting which is the piss off

4. Is it better to get one license and wait for the other? (I won't be buying more than one gun right away, so one of my licenses will be pointless at first).

Your restricted license is not pointless, many many people who get their PAL eventually get their RPAL, learn from my mistake, do them at the same time.

5. I live in the Kitchener/Waterloo area, and Shooter's Choice (www.shooterschoice.com) was recommended as the place to get licensed. They seem to have all types of courses and not sure which ones I need (hence this thread)

There should be a weekend course which covers your restricted and non-restricted safety courses and exams, and possibly hunters education. It might cost a couple hundred bucks (probably not any more than $200 at a max) Shooters Choice is a pretty decent place, this is probably the ideal solution for you, very little travel

If you follow my advice, you need the CFSC and CFRSC combined safety course, it usually includes classroom instruction, the testing and the manuals.

6. Where is the best place to find the most relevant laws for owning firearms (storage and transportation laws)? There must be a million little obscure laws but I just want a 'gun laws for noobies' reference/link.

There is a legalese forum here, has tons of good stuff regarding transportation and safe storage, there is also a decent pamphlete from the CFC website. (link in the forum)

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=42539

Contrary to what you might believe, the storage and transpo laws are actually straight forward.

PS, if the link is broken, drop me a PM and I will forward you the phamphlet

Sorry for the wall of text, but thanks to anyone and everyone who helps me out :D
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Most importantly, welcome to CGN my friend :D
 
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1 : Nope, one PAL, just different endorsements.

2 : You have to take the course and/or test in order to qualify for a PAL for the category of firearm you wish to acquire (restricted or non-restricted).

3 : Typically about a month, but it varies from one province to the next .... References can be pretty much anyone whom has known you for at least 5 years IIRC, except your spouse.

4 : I never did bother to get the restricted added to my PAL, not my cup of tea, it comes down to a personal choice, although some would advise to take both, get your PAL and that way you can acquire both non-restricted as well as restricted firearms when you are ready to.

5 : Canadian Firearm Safety Course is what you are looking for, the restricted course is called the Canadian Restricted Firearm Safety Course.

6 : http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/ That is the official website for the Canadian Firearm Center (CFC), now a depertment within the RCMP.
 
Technically, there is no such thing as Non-restricted and Restricted PAL's. You get a PAL with Just non-restricted, or both Non restricted AND Restricted status.
Yes you do have to take both courses OR challenge both exams. When/If you pass, the instructor will you give you a sheet saying you passed both the written and practical with such percent, there will one sheet for Non-res and one for restricted.
You send in Copies of the sheets with the PAL application forms to the CFC. Your references need to know you for at least three years and cannot be a spouse or partner. It takes about two and a half months from when the CFC gets your application, to when your PAL is in your hands.
I recommend taking both exams and getting the restricted status, just because its a good thing to have incase you see something you like, but find out you can;t because you do not have the class on your PAL.
For all laws, go to the horses mouth http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/index-eng.htm
 
Well that about does it for me, I was just reading your noobie thread to get some more info while you were posing lol. I'm still slightly confused with number 1, if I get my RPAL, then its more of an upgraded license? What happens if I took my Restricted test first (or is that even possible?) And may I ask why you regret not getting both licenses at the same time? Thanks for all the help, maybe we could sticky this for other guys in the same boat.
 
I just did all my stuff about 6mnths ago and here's how it went for me

1) they are separate, as far as I know you need to have your non restricted to get your restricted but I could be wrong, I took both at the same time.
2)You will get more from taking the courses together because lots does carry over but it helps you with the restricted cause its fresh in your mind.
3)My license to 45 days from door to door(from the day I put my app in the mail to the day my card came in the mail.
4)I would get them both cause it will be less headache and hassle later, plus once you buy one you will want to buy another and then you dont have to go through the wait again! ask anyone, its an addiction!!
5)Not sure about when to go as Im in Alberta
6)Best place to find the laws is on here, on the front page i think there is a thread all about them, if not search around in here and you will find them.
-Never have a gun loaded unless you are somewhere that you are legal to shoot it
-Keep you guns in a locked room that isnt easily accessible to be broken into or in a gun safe(and have it bolted down!)
-restricted firearms must be transported seprately from ammo and must be locked in a container and trigger locked or disabled
-always keep ammo seprate from guns
those are some of the key ones
cheers
chuck
Feel free to PM me if ya want Im still kind of new to this but I've learned tons from the guys and girls on this site, they're great!
 
Your restricted license is not pointless, many many people who get their PAL eventually get their RPAL, learn from my mistake, do them at the same time.
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Learn from my mistake as well..........

Find a competent instructor, do both courses at once, and get your RPAL right from the get go. I got my PAL because I wrongly assumed I would only ever shoot rifles and shotguns- had I known how quickly my wife and I would become interested in target shooting with handguns, I could have saved myself 2 months of waiting........

Welcome aboard, brother!!!

Paul
 
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