This was a timeline I put together for another website, and it seems totally applicable to also post it here. For anyone wondering how long it takes, or is not in Ontario and wants to poke fun at us, here is my timeline for getting my RPAL and firearms.
Once you get your PAL and ATT, I have to say, after having my ATT for a couple of weeks now, most of the angst about getting it is fading into memory....
Timeline for firearms licencing and acquisition.
July-ish: Was talking with other army cadet instructors about taking up a role in the shooting or biathlon team. No firm plans made, but it sparked the idea. Before then, I had considered the whole PAL saga way too much hassle to be worth my time.
September: applied for course(s) - next available licence course was 6 weeks away. Next range safety course (at the range most convenient to where I am) was 3 months. Both courses are compulsory.
End October - Licence course. Over a whole weekend. 1 full day(8am to 7pm) and a 3/4 day(8am to 4pm). Compulsory. $200+
Early December - Results from course(6 week delay) arrive. This is processed by government. Delay is variable, but 6 weeks is typical. Applied for PAL(firearms licence) the next day. I had spent that 6 weeks precollecting names(and permissions) of references, and convinced the house girlie to sign too. I had to bribe her with the whole Ontario HST rebate to make that happen(instead of splitting the rebate ~$170). She thinks the only purpose of guns is to kill animals.
Mid December - Range safety course(that took 3 months advance booking). 1.5 days of range rules, safety classes, and 10 rounds in a handgun. Had to pay for course and sign up for membership at the same time ($305). I still needed to complete the multi-night discipline familiarization, and get my PAL, before I could get complete membership. The night famil involves turning up to the 6 different scheduled shooting nights, and observing for a few hours. I got to shoot once, but most of the time it is standing around. (So a total of about 15 hours plus range travel time for multiple visits)
Early Jan - Money deducted from govt licence office ($80) on my visa card. So at least I know they got the application.
Mid Jan - Phone interviews with me, and they contacted my references. They asked me really basic, obvious questions(about mental stability, anger towards people etc), but it does make you wonder what they ask your references. My references told me later that it was a long interview(10+ minutes in work hours is long), and they ask the same question so many different ways it feels like they are trying to trick you, see if you slip up. Choose your references carefully.
End Jan - RPAL Licence arrived in mail.
Early Feb. - Sent range safety card(and copy of PAL) to range for access.(I was told it would be 30-45 days processing). I was a bit lazy here and could have saved a 2 week delay by completing all my famil nights before my PAL arrived. But, I also do regular things on some nights of the week, so having to cancel other plans to go to a famil night was a tad annoying.
mid March - Range access granted. Took pretty much the full 45 days. So now I can turn up to the range, 24/7, and do whatever I want(within the club rules). No further supervision required. But, no firearms owned yet.
End Mar - RPAL purchase. Just a 22LR pistol ($500) to get me started on a LTATT. But, I still have to wait for all the RPAL pistol paperwork. Was looking at a 10/22 rifle as well as practice for shooting, but the place I want to buy it was out of stock. I know the guy that works there so I’d rather wait and get it from him than go to another store. There aren’t that many stores to choose from.(note: eventually bought it 2 weeks later)
Apr - 1st week - Store got faxed short term ATT. Picked up gun a few days later. Seeing as you have to take it ‘straight home’, I had to pick the day I wasn’t doing anything else after work.
APR - 2nd week - I got the short term ATT in mail. Kinda pointless, unless you have a lazy gun store that doesn’t call you to let you know they have it.
Apr - 3rd week - I got registration in the mail from RCMP saying I owned what had been in my possession for 2 weeks. Odd again that this isn’t sent with the ATT – they sent me permission to pick it up, but not permission to be in possession of it.
24 May – Finally got my LTATT, almost 8 weeks later. So there we go, woohoo, only 9 months to be able legally go to a range and shoot a target pistol.
Total time spent:- Compulsory ‘training’ and information: 4 days plus 6 nights(2-3 hours a night)
Total money spent:- $750 (including bribes) to have all the legal paperwork to be able to own a gun and go to a range. Plus ~$1000 on 2 firearms purchases(22LR starter guns), plus accessories, so I’ve spent around $2000 so far. Expensive sport.
Once you get your PAL and ATT, I have to say, after having my ATT for a couple of weeks now, most of the angst about getting it is fading into memory....
Timeline for firearms licencing and acquisition.
July-ish: Was talking with other army cadet instructors about taking up a role in the shooting or biathlon team. No firm plans made, but it sparked the idea. Before then, I had considered the whole PAL saga way too much hassle to be worth my time.
September: applied for course(s) - next available licence course was 6 weeks away. Next range safety course (at the range most convenient to where I am) was 3 months. Both courses are compulsory.
End October - Licence course. Over a whole weekend. 1 full day(8am to 7pm) and a 3/4 day(8am to 4pm). Compulsory. $200+
Early December - Results from course(6 week delay) arrive. This is processed by government. Delay is variable, but 6 weeks is typical. Applied for PAL(firearms licence) the next day. I had spent that 6 weeks precollecting names(and permissions) of references, and convinced the house girlie to sign too. I had to bribe her with the whole Ontario HST rebate to make that happen(instead of splitting the rebate ~$170). She thinks the only purpose of guns is to kill animals.
Mid December - Range safety course(that took 3 months advance booking). 1.5 days of range rules, safety classes, and 10 rounds in a handgun. Had to pay for course and sign up for membership at the same time ($305). I still needed to complete the multi-night discipline familiarization, and get my PAL, before I could get complete membership. The night famil involves turning up to the 6 different scheduled shooting nights, and observing for a few hours. I got to shoot once, but most of the time it is standing around. (So a total of about 15 hours plus range travel time for multiple visits)
Early Jan - Money deducted from govt licence office ($80) on my visa card. So at least I know they got the application.
Mid Jan - Phone interviews with me, and they contacted my references. They asked me really basic, obvious questions(about mental stability, anger towards people etc), but it does make you wonder what they ask your references. My references told me later that it was a long interview(10+ minutes in work hours is long), and they ask the same question so many different ways it feels like they are trying to trick you, see if you slip up. Choose your references carefully.
End Jan - RPAL Licence arrived in mail.
Early Feb. - Sent range safety card(and copy of PAL) to range for access.(I was told it would be 30-45 days processing). I was a bit lazy here and could have saved a 2 week delay by completing all my famil nights before my PAL arrived. But, I also do regular things on some nights of the week, so having to cancel other plans to go to a famil night was a tad annoying.
mid March - Range access granted. Took pretty much the full 45 days. So now I can turn up to the range, 24/7, and do whatever I want(within the club rules). No further supervision required. But, no firearms owned yet.
End Mar - RPAL purchase. Just a 22LR pistol ($500) to get me started on a LTATT. But, I still have to wait for all the RPAL pistol paperwork. Was looking at a 10/22 rifle as well as practice for shooting, but the place I want to buy it was out of stock. I know the guy that works there so I’d rather wait and get it from him than go to another store. There aren’t that many stores to choose from.(note: eventually bought it 2 weeks later)
Apr - 1st week - Store got faxed short term ATT. Picked up gun a few days later. Seeing as you have to take it ‘straight home’, I had to pick the day I wasn’t doing anything else after work.
APR - 2nd week - I got the short term ATT in mail. Kinda pointless, unless you have a lazy gun store that doesn’t call you to let you know they have it.
Apr - 3rd week - I got registration in the mail from RCMP saying I owned what had been in my possession for 2 weeks. Odd again that this isn’t sent with the ATT – they sent me permission to pick it up, but not permission to be in possession of it.
24 May – Finally got my LTATT, almost 8 weeks later. So there we go, woohoo, only 9 months to be able legally go to a range and shoot a target pistol.
Total time spent:- Compulsory ‘training’ and information: 4 days plus 6 nights(2-3 hours a night)
Total money spent:- $750 (including bribes) to have all the legal paperwork to be able to own a gun and go to a range. Plus ~$1000 on 2 firearms purchases(22LR starter guns), plus accessories, so I’ve spent around $2000 so far. Expensive sport.
so now everything is in the mail and the waiting starts 
