Issues With BC Chief Firearms Officer

mr.fatstacks said:
I mailed my RPAL renewal Dec 23 (not the greatest time to mail, but was waiting on 2013 proof of membership from my range) and got the new license Feb 7. Call it 4 weeks to account for general Christmas delays. Not great, but not all that bad either. Now I need to apply for my LTATT, and am unable to download the form online. Using a mac, updated adobe, tried GF's computer, no joy. I guess I'll try calling it in tomorrow, and from the general discussion here I'll be ecstatic if I get it before it expires. :)
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From everything I've read, and from my experience, applying for your LTATT over the phone is definitely the way to go. Any paper version, whether faxed or mailed, seems to disappear into the black hole that is the BC CFO office, never to be seen again.
 
I would like to share my current experience.
I've just gotten off the phone with someone (not at the BC CFO office, probably at one of the other offices helping out with the backlog). My PAL application was received in Nova Scotia on January 8th and was sent to the BC CFO Feb 11th. I was told that I could expect to wait an additional 4-6 weeks for my PAL approval from the office, and that they are still working on applications from 2012. This is absolutely unacceptable to me.
I plan on going to the office tomorrow and speaking with someone in person at the BC CFO, as I have heard that this may move the process along a bit quicker. Does anyone have any advice on what to say to them that could get me moving along?
Thanks in advance.
 
DOOK said:
I went there in person to renew my LTATT. The guy was friendly, and helpful. It was in my hands within 20 mins.
No camo.
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This is what I've heard several times, at least regarding ATTs. I'm hoping that the same is true for PAL applications, but I doubt it.

I'm expecting to hear 'thank you for coming down, your application is waiting in a queue at the moment and we will get to it when we get to it. Now run along.' If i don't get any help, I'll have to request assistance from my MP or MLA i guess.

I know I haven't been waiting that long but still.
 
So, here is the scoop.

I went in on Tuesday and asked to speak to someone about my PAL application. They took down my application number and disappeared into the back for a couple minutes. Then they came back to the front and said they have asked the person dealing with my application to call me 'this week' as i have been repeatadely calling in to check on my status (I called Mon and Fri last week, and Mon this week).

So that's a negative on being approved on the spot. I will wait and see if I get a call or not; I'm not sure what else there would be to talk about, as I've done my interviews and so have my references. From what I understand, the CFO just rubber-stamps everything and sends it back to the federal level to issue the PAL. Am I mistaken on that?
 
Man I'd love to be a bug on a wall in that office to see what conversations go on in it.

Things like "hey... lets sit these PAL apps in this pile for 2 weeks so the collect dust".. or... "hey lets delay these as much as we can... since we don't want them to have any more firearms than we can help"

Ok maybe I'm paranoid... :) but I know for a fact back when I got my PAL (many years ago), they didn't bother sending it to you without you phoning and bugging them.
 
Application Received on: 2012/12/21
Interviews got done weeks ago and im still waiting for them to issue my license -_-
 
I'm back... So no call back today. I phoned the office again, and told them what I was told (that I'd get a call back by today). She didn't really say anything about that. She said she would mention to the person dealing with my application to contact me. (I'm skeptical that will happen). They must think that I'll just stop contacting them, however that isn't likely to happen.
Looks like it's time to escalate the issue by contacting my MP. We'll see how that goes...
 
Here's My letter. Feel free to copy and use it for your purposes:

Dear Honourable ######XX,

This letter is in regards to long delays at the BC Chief Firearms Office. This is a situation which has been occurring for some time and, despite the BC office receiving help from other provinces CFOs, the backlog has failed to clear and has instead remained at similar levels for the past number of months, and indeed years.

In my case, when applying for a Possession and Acquisition license, the stated turnaround time is 45 days. Despite receiving assistance from other CFO offices, information officers have consistently told callers that they will need to wait an additional 4 to 6 weeks (over and above their 45 day wait), and they are still working on applications from November and December! My completed and accurate application has now crossed the 45 day 'service standard' advertised on their website, and I am concerned about the further delay. Furthermore, even when a PAL application is eventually approved and processed, typical wait times for Authorizations to Transport (which are required for purchase of any restricted firearm) have been taking an additional 4 weeks, and firearms ownership transfers taking between 8 business days and 6 months! As you can imagine, this is a great frustration to anyone who is attempting to legally purchase a firearm.

I am concerned that the BC CFO is unable to effectively service the typical volume of applications, transfers and registrations despite a large volume of work being eliminated through the repeal of the long gun registry.

As a member of your constituency, I hope that there is some help that you can offer in this regard to the thousands of law-abiding citizens who are looking for consistency in processing times and a hassle-free service with this and other government agencies.

If your office would be able to extend any assistance relating to the issue at hand that myself, and possibly thousands of other firearms owners are struggling with, it would be greatly appreciated.

I look forward to your response.

Kind Regards,

#########
123 Address.
 
well I guess I am not the norm becasue my Pal only took a month and abit from course completion to issue, I did my course in late november and recieved my PAL in the first week of january my application for alternate storage was completed and approved on the spot ( I went to drop off the application at the BC CFO office) and as a bonus she said she would also have ,my LTATT done for me if I would wait 15 mins....of course I did. Last Friday Febuary 15th I purchaed a Sig 1911 nightmare and today Febuary 22nd the transfer/STATT is all ready for me to go pick up tomorrow morning with my new firearm.

I have no idea why some people have such a long wait and some don't, it must be very fustrating but for me so far I have had positive experiences.
 
i personally sat down with the bc cfo last week to sort out why my rpal application was taking 6 months!!! Long story short, guy seems nice but when i asked him why the hold up on my application and why am i hearing horror stories about his office and the delay, he just gave me the same answer that most of us have been getting. i talked with him for over an hour regarding my rpal, my ppersonal opinion of the guy is, yah he's a nice guy, but i don't think he gives a sh*t how fast or slow he does things. I sensed an air of arrogance about him that said, tough sh*t i'll get around to it when i feel like it!!! Anyways got my rpal approved yesterday.....finally!!!
 
Finally got a call back from the BC CFO's office ONLY because my calls were dodge for 1 month solid and after that time delay they receive and email stating they "have to" call you back then.

Way to go BC CFO office for requesting additional information AFTER my license expired, would have been real f***** helpful to have known that before hand so I could have included it......

Christ this is a total joke and ya the firearms officers are even a bit anti gun as well, speaking with one today he wished that everyone has additional regulations on their license so they CANNOT store a firearm in their vehicle at all..........lovely huh.
 
murph83 said:
i talked with him for over an hour regarding my rpal, my ppersonal opinion of the guy is, yah he's a nice guy, but i don't think he gives a sh*t how fast or slow he does things. I sensed an air of arrogance about him that said, tough sh*t i'll get around to it when i feel like it!!!!
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It is too bad that anyone who provides a government service to the Canadian public doesn't care about their service level to the people who they serve. Ok ok.. I know this is too much to expect for the CFO office.

I too am Government (Prov), and if I ever showed an arrogant attitude that I didn't care about our service levels (even if we only manage back end systems), I'd be kickin' hurt turds to the unemployment office.
 
I know a guy who got his RPAL in just over 4 weeks. When I called the 1 800# to ask about the process, they said if you answer yes to any of those questions, or if they find anything in the back ground check, does not necessarily mean you will be denied, but could be delayed by many months. Wondering if this is why some folks take so much longer than others. Also, perhaps your reference screwed you over said something wrong, or maybe spouse or ex. I am hoping this is the case cause I will not be happy to wait more than 45 days. Anyways, my app arrived in Miramichi on feb 21st so guess I got to wait and see.
 
My PAL took 6 months when I got it (5 years ago). All my references were also getting their PAL, and we all were references for each other. It took 6 months because the CFO did their interviews of the references fairly fast, but then just sat on the apps. I'd admit to not being in an big hurry, but I didn't see the approval until I called them and that was 6 months later.

That was the case for all four of us who applied at the same time. It was so obvious that they sit on the apps until you harass them... which is silly.
 
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