Hi everyone just a newbie question on RPAL and ATT. I’ve recently submitted my application to get my rpal but I’m still a bit confused about how atts work. Since I’ll probably be getting most of my restricted Firearms online, how does it work for the att? I’m already a member at a local gun club so I’ll be able to bring it there. Do I need to request an att for every restricted firearm I purchase? Do I need to request one before I attempt to purchase one online so it can be transported to my house? Also I would be buying restricted Firearms at local stores, would I need an att first to bring that home from the store? Any clarification would be great thanks.
just been through this myself, probably can answer some questions for you.
When you first receive you brand new RPAL it will have a .0001 at the end. There will be no additional conditions attached, no special ATT etc. If memory serves, it will say something like "standard conditions are attached to this license" or something like that.
Whenever you purchase a restricted firearm, you cannot just go to a store plop down your cash, flash your PAL and take it home.
When you purchase your FIRST restricted firearm (assuming from a business) either online or in person, they will take your PAL information and notify the CFP that they are transferring firearm ###XX from them to you. The CFP will take that info and pass to your CFO who has to approve the transfer. This can take a few days, sometimes a few weeks. In Ontario we aren't required to have a range membership to purchase a restricted, if your province does require it, make sure the CFO has that info. I suspect the retailer you are buying from will get that info from you as well if it's required by the province.
After waiting however long, the store will be sent the Transfer Notification by the CFO giving them authorization to send it to you or allowing you to pick it up and take it home.
Then two more things will happen:
1) A new RPAL will be issued to you, it will be the same number, except it will have .0002 at the end, instead of .0001. This can take a week or two to get to you. That new RPAL will have the text "Standard and transportation conditions are attached to this license" and the piece of paper that comes with it will state additional "SPECIAL CONDITIONS" which include: to and from the range, to and from a peace officer, firearms officer or chief firearms officer, to and from a repair or appraisal business, to and from a gun show, to and from any port of exit for purpose of taking them outside of Canada, and transport newly acquired restricted firearms from place of acquisition back home. You should keep a copy of this piece of paper with you, as it is your ATT for going to your range and back.
2) You will be sent a registration certificate for your newly acquired firearm. You should make multiple copies and keep one with the firearm during transporation. You won't have it when you pick it up from the store or from the post office, but the Transfer Notification is your authorization to transport home. I've read varying opinions on whether you need to wait for the registration certificate before taking your new firearm to the range, I won't offer any advice on that.
The process remains the same for any future restricted purchases, except you're not given a new RPAL version. The only difference on a private sale, like here on EE, is that as the buyer you'd be required to call the CFP and confirm your details with them before it's sent to the CFO to approve the transfer.
TLDR: You'll get a temporary ATT to have the firearm sent to you and take home from post office OR pick it up yourself from the retailer when the CFO approves the transfer and you'll get an automatic / permanent ATT which will include as a condition of your RPAL when you are issued a new RPAL after make your first restricted purchase.
Oh, and once bill C-71 passes, I think the only ATT that will remain attached to your RPAL will be to and from the range.