Issues With BC Chief Firearms Officer

Submission Date: June 1st
First Restricted (yes/no): yes
Short term / Long term ATT: LATT

I am hoping i get some good news this week, I want to hold my CZ Shadow.
 
I got one of those waiting for me too. Was going to wait before I got it, but I was offered a good price. Guess I could go in to the dealer to play with it, but it's just not the same .... :(

Rev. said:
Submission Date: June 1st
First Restricted (yes/no): yes
Short term / Long term ATT: LATT

I am hoping i get some good news this week, I want to hold my CZ Shadow.
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Restricted Approvals for BC

1. Submitted May 29, received approval June 13 - 2 weeks
2. Submitted June 7, received approval July 9 - 4 weeks

Don't know if it's getting longer or if this is the now the norm till they get caught up?
 
On a related note, after 50 days I called to ask about the status of my PAL. The website has said 'in process' for a month. The nice girl that answered the phone sighed and said it has been sent to the CFO for approval. She didn't elaborate, but I got the distinct impression that the BC CFO has been very slow from their perspective too.

Frustrating, because I'm headed up into the Nass salmon fishing next week and I'd much prefer a 12 gauge to the bearspray I've been carrying for the past few years.
 
Submission date Jun 26
First restricted No
Have ATT Yes
Waiting for transfer and STATT as my gun sits in the safe at my local gun store. Just got off the phone with the store as they had just phoned CFO and raised hell but were told they are short staffed and still habe a 3 week backlog.
 
I just got off the phone with someone from the CFP (I think she said her name was Iris) asking about my LTATT and my restricted transfer (both my first). I was told:

  • BC CFO office isn't answering any phone calls because they are so far behind.
  • There is no way to know how long it will be until my LTATT and my restricted transfer will be processed.

I faxed in my LTATT Jul 3rd and initiated the restricted transfer Jul 6th.

I know a couple people mentioned writing their MPs. Has anyone gotten a decent response yet?
 
dontshow said:
I just got off the phone with someone from the CFP (I think she said her name was Iris) asking about my LTATT and my restricted transfer (both my first). I was told:

  • BC CFO office isn't answering any phone calls because they are so far behind.
  • There is no way to know how long it will be until my LTATT and my restricted transfer will be processed.

I faxed in my LTATT Jul 3rd and initiated the restricted transfer Jul 6th.

I know a couple people mentioned writing their MPs. Has anyone gotten a decent response yet?
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I faxed in my LTATT on June 5th and did the transfer on June 25th and I have still not heard anything, nor do I have my ATT or my gun...

I think you may as well plan on waiting until Labour Day...

Both my MP and MLA are NDP, so they are of no help whatsoever...

I just have to wait. I don't like it at all, but what do I do at this point?
 
Faxed June 13th: First LTATT.Was initally told 4-6 weeks on week 4, called yesterday, told most likey 2 more weeks. Currently in week 5 and told it was recived but no other details. Also told Alberta is helping to field some of the calls and helping to reduce the wait. Sounds like their swamped.

Weathers been good in BC, and no MP 9 to use it in.
 
Letter to MP

I have drafted the following letter to my MP. Any feedback/suggestions before I send this off?

Dear Mr. Garrison,

I'd like to thank you again for your response to my letter about Bill C-30 and for your commitment to protecting the rights and freedoms of Canadians.

I am writing today to ask for your help in addressing the increasing delays in processing paperwork managed by the British Columbia Chief Firearms Officer (CFO). In particular, I am referring to the delays in processing Long Term Authorizations to Transport (LTATT) and transfers of restricted firearms.

After communicating with dozens of Possession and Acquisition License (PAL) holders across the country, I have found that it is normal for this paperwork to be completed within a few days or perhaps a week. Sometimes it is completed within a few hours*. However, starting around May 2012, the processing time required by the BC CFO's office has increased significantly. On July 3rd, I was told by the Canadian Firearms Centre (CFC) processing time was about four weeks. On July 10th, I was told there was no way of knowing how long it would take.

I have also been told by (PAL) holders across the province of BC that waits of four to six weeks are now common.

I would like to ask for your help in solving this delay. Is there anything you or your office can do to investigate the cause and correct the problem? It would be very helpful to know:
• What created this huge backlog? Was it simply an increase in requests? If so, it would be great to have the numbers explaining the increase.
• What specific measures are being taken to clear out the backlog? Are new or temporary employees being hired? Are current employees being encouraged/incentivized to work overtime?
• When will the backlog be cleared and normal processing times be resumed?
• What measures are being taken to ensure this does not happen again?

I would also like to know if you would support the idea of combining the issuance of PALs with restricted endorsements with the LTATT. My understanding is that a LTATT is required before one can acquire a restricted firearm, so there is little point in issuing an individual a PAL with restricted endorsement but not issuing that individual an LTATT. Combining these two processes has the potential to reduce a significant amount of paperwork.

Thank you very much for your time. And keep up the good work.
<insert name and address>

*The RCMP's website says, "The transfer transaction is typically updated in CFIS within a few hours, and the transferee can legally take possession of the firearms at that point." http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/facts-faits/index-eng.htm
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i was told since the cfo is a provincial entity you must address concerns with them to your MLA the MP can help as far as federal issues ie: licensing.
 
dontshow said:
• What created this huge backlog? Was it simply an increase in requests? If so, it would be great to have the numbers explaining the increase.
• What specific measures are being taken to clear out the backlog? Are new or temporary employees being hired? Are current employees being encouraged/incentivized to work overtime?
• When will the backlog be cleared and normal processing times be resumed?
• What measures are being taken to ensure this does not happen again?
Click to expand...

This is exactly what I am wondering. It is clear to me that level of service is not an issue when it comes to the CFO's office. Yet this is exactly the issue. There are user fees paid for licenses, and it is the taxpayer that is charged with ultimately paying for these people and the costs to run this service.

As I have stated before, I do not believe there are any requirements or goals outlined for performance of service in the public sector, and that is my main beef when it comes to giving these people healthy pay raises and perks. I am sorry if I offend any government employees that may be gun nutz, but is this the kind of thing that we all are willing to settle for?

I don't know about you, but if I go into a store and I get bad service, I either make a bunch of noise and get someones attention, or I walk out and give my money to to someone that is willing to provide the service.

In this case, we are all held hostage to what cannot be characterized any different than an extremely poorly run service. Make no mistake...these people are public servants, and they do not have to answer to anyone regarding the degradation of this service.

In addition, making this situation public will not garner any sympathy from the average person, mostly because they are antis, and they would fail to see the underlying deficiencies with the public service in general.

I am usually a very patient person, but I know now what questions my MP's and MLA's are going to need to answer to my satisfaction before they get my vote.

Rant off
 
dweenz said:
i was told since the cfo is a provincial entity you must address concerns with them to your MLA the MP can help as far as federal issues ie: licensing.
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That sounds like someone is trying to dodge the issue. Although "the provincial minister of that province" has the right to designate the CFO, the CFO's responsibilities are all government by federal regulations. If the Firearms Act goes away, so do the CFOs.

It certainly doesn't hurt to ask an MLA to get involved, but it seems that the only request an MLA is really responsible for is a request to replace the CFO.

Does anyone know which "provincial minister of" BC is currently responsible for selecting the CFO?
 
They are working in to the late evening. I got a transfer at 10pm last week

I believe they lost 2 staff (at least) and there is a hiring freeze.
 
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