Obligatory n00b First Post

[Turbocharged]

Hi,

I'm new to the forum and have been reading quite a bit over the last week. I learned to shoot in Scouts and spent years shooting regularly as an air cadet; mainly Lee Enfield's converted to .22. I passed the written and practical tests required for the FAC (‘97 or ‘98). I never actually applied for my FAC as I went back to school and shooting got shuffled to the back burner. Becoming a graphic designer Is much less exciting but it puts food on the table.

I recently went to Vegas and spent a day shooting in Boulder City with a retired Police Officer on an outdoor range with a variety of pistols and long guns. My desire to shoot was rekindled and I’ve spent the last few months thinking about getting back into it. I looked around on the internet and found this place and have been pleased to find a wealth of information. My stepfather has decided to give me his shotguns (a 12-gauge William Evans and a 20-gauge Watson Bros) so I now embark on the mission of getting my licences. I would like to get an RPAL as I would prefer to shoot pistols and eventually get an AR-15 (in case of zombie pandemic).

I do have a question in regards to the tests required. The test I challenged involved written and practical tests involving pistols, rifles and shotguns. Maybe I am incorrect, but it is my understanding the tests were changed after I did them and they are separate now. Is the test I took valid for an RPAL? I’ve been looking for answers but have had trouble the specific answers I’m looking for.

(Yes, I know I should have just got my FAC back then! Lazy, lazy, lazy.)

If I should post this in another section just say so, I have thick skin and I'd appreciate being pointed in the right direction. I've been a moderator on a car forum for almost 10 years so I'm pretty flame proof if you want to let me have it.

Brad

 

[ontgunner]

Welcome aboard, Brad!!
Great intro.
Yes, the restricted and non-r parts have been seperated.
Do you still have the paperwork from your FAC tests? This may fly, as I don't think the material as a whole has changed, just that it is presented as two seperate tests now.
I think you posted in the right spot, but you may want to try re-posting your questions in the "legalese" forum under the "general firearms" group of boards.
Good luck, either way I have confidence you will be in to the addiction in no time!

 

[Turbocharged]

Thanks for the welcome!

In a renovation a year ago, I lost a box of documents. In that box was the original test results. I contacted the CFO Ontario office and they confirmed that my original records were added to the database at the central processing site and they sent me the certificate number and instructed me to add it to my PAL application.

I will probably call the help number on the application as I have some questions as to how to properly fill out Section G, since the test I took does not fit either description.

 

[tiina]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[sunray]

"...should have just got my FAC back then!..." Wouldn't have mattered. No previous experience, of any kind, counts. Even my CF RSO(Army) and having had a dealer's permit, means nothing.
"...the certificate number and instructed me to add it to my PAL..." I'm taking a wild guess that you're ok for a PAL, but not an RPAL.
"...prefer to shoot pistols..." Actually lets you shoot more often than rifles do. You must belong to a club to get an ATT. Mississauga has a bunch of clubs. Mississauga is also close to a bunch of TO clubs.
Where do you work? Area. Most handgun clubs shoot one night a week(pick one), usually Bullseye, starting around 7 PM. That's a good thing. However, it'd be better to join a club closer to home. Let us know where you are(work/home) and clubs can be suggested.
Just remember that you're not alone. Help finding a club is here.

 

[Turbocharged]

"...should have just got my FAC back then!..." Wouldn't have mattered. No previous experience, of any kind, counts. Even my CF RSO(Army) and having had a dealer's permit, means nothing.

I meant more in the sense that I would have been licensed a long time ago.

"...the certificate number and instructed me to add it to my PAL..." I'm taking a wild guess that you're ok for a PAL, but not an RPAL.

That might well be the case. I will post up when I get an answer.

"...prefer to shoot pistols..." Actually lets you shoot more often than rifles do. You must belong to a club to get an ATT. Mississauga has a bunch of clubs. Mississauga is also close to a bunch of TO clubs.

Where do you work? Area. Most handgun clubs shoot one night a week(pick one), usually Bullseye, starting around 7 PM. That's a good thing. However, it'd be better to join a club closer to home. Let us know where you are(work/home) and clubs can be suggested.
Just remember that you're not alone. Help finding a club is here.

I've been doing a little reading on clubs. I am self employed and work from home. I live in the QEW/427 area and anywhere from Burlington to Toronto is fine with me.

 

[Turbocharged]

I don't know how I missed this, the instructions on the PAL application state:

Box 20 b)
To get a Possession and Acquisition Licence for restricted or
prohibited firearms, you must have passed two safety tests:
the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC) and the
Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course (CRFSC).
Complete Box 20 b) if this applies to you. NOTE: If you
passed the CFSC before February 1, 1999 you are
considered to have met both these requirements.

I confirmed this via phone.