PAL Application Questions Mental Health Issue (Non-Restricted)

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Well, this is kind of a crappy way to introduce myself, but I need some advice, so here goes...

I'm taking the PAL course for the second time this week, the first time was in 2000, but I lost my wallet and ID and wasn't able to apply and then bitterly didn't want to pay to do it over again, but now I have more money to spare and figured I'd forgotten too much and not handled guns enough in the mean time to just challenge the exam.

Anyway, a few years ago I broke up with my first girlfriend (fiance actually) and was an immature retard about it, she dumped me and I left the house carrying a knife, muttering about how I hoped she was happy and she'd never see me again, and that got blown out of proportion into a call to police and an arrest under the mental health act. They were told I was a trained martial artist (true) carrying knives (also true, but not for any bad purpose) and high on drugs (false). I drove around for 20 mins and then headed over to my friend's house. When the cops got ahold of me and came to "talk" to me, I answered the door and their smiles turned to crapping-their-pants expressions when I identified myself. So they cuffed me and it was really embarrassing, they were glad they'd found me and nothing bad had happened, but I watched as they typed up their report and my file with the RCMP now has SUICIDAL TENDENCIES across the top of it in their computers. I never had any intention of harming myself or others and was released within an hour of being taken into custody. That was the only time I have been arrested and I have never committed an act of violence against another person outside of sparring or competition.

That was an isolated incident and since then I've both matured in general and learned how to deal with ending relationships in an appropriate adult manner, without any dramatic nonsense.

I can't lie about any of that on my application. The RCMP has a record of the incident and regardless I have no desire to deceive anyone, I know I acted inappropriately, but that was a long time ago and I can state for certain that nothing like that will ever happen again. It was very, very embarrassing and a huge waste of the cops' time, I think they had every available car looking for me as 7 cars showed up.

So I don't know if anyone else has had to explain this sort of situation on their application before, I tried searching for threads talking about this and didn't find anything similar. My plan is to just explain myself as I have here, but if there's a better way I could frame my explanation, or if it's just hopeless to apply considering what I've said I'd rather know that beforehand.

Thanks in advance for any serious replies and I won't be offended if anyone calls me an idiot.

I made a point of not applying for a restricted license considering the circumstances even though target shooting does interest me.
 
Don't explain anything, just fill in the application. If the RCMP are worried, they will contact you and likely your Dr.
 
The RCMP only ask about 5 years ago, and 2 years ago. 5 years - charged with felony, prohibited from firearms, domestic assaults, drug/alcohol rehab etc. 2 years - divorce/separation, loss of job, etc. If your immature moment happened 5 years ago or more, everything should be fine, if less than that, fill in the application truthfully, and explain it when you call in your inerview.
 
TPK, on the form it states that:

If you answer yes to any of the questions in this section, you must provide details on a separate page. Add your name at the top of each page you attach. If
details are not provided, your application cannot be processed.
Click to expand...

So I'm just wondering how many details I should give or how much I should explain. I have to write something.

CulturedRedneck, it was within the last 5 years, spring of '09, but yeah...that's the plan, just tell the truth.
 
I dont think you have a mental health issue, I think you were quite upset about an isolated incident that happened 3 years ago. So if it were me I would say no

If they call and ask about the incident, explain the incident. If they are that concerned, have them call your family doctor. They will call your references anyway.

To me, a mental health issue is diagnosed by a Dr., not a uninformed determination by a LEO who is not qualified to make that decision on his report
 
Did you try calling 1-800-731-4000 to see if they have your old test results on file - they should - then you wouldn't need to repeat the course.
 
dHb said:
Did you try calling 1-800-731-4000 to see if they have your old test results on file - they should - then you wouldn't need to repeat the course.
Click to expand...

Hopefully, you still have your paperwork test results.

Taken from the RCMP CFP;

Q. If I have taken the old CFSC, will I have to take the new courses?

A. No. The old CFSC has been designated as a nationally acceptable course to allow an individual to apply for a Possession and Acquisition Licence.
 
I don't believe I have a mental health issue either, but that's how the RCMP framed it. It's kind of annoying that they can write whatever they want in their file, but I assumed that whatever they had written would be treated as absolute fact by the CFO. However I called the help line as well as speaking to the course instructor and am more hopeful now.

Did you try calling 1-800-731-4000 to see if they have your old test results on file - they should - then you wouldn't need to repeat the course.
Click to expand...

I was told at the time they would wait 6 months before destroying the old results, so I just left it at that. I finished the new CFSC last night and have my new results in hand and I don't regret taking it again, I met some people to shoot with which is cool cause my friends don't.
 
Similar circumstances in my case when applying for my firearms license. Within 2 years I had broken up with a fiancee. Basically shad the same kinda story as you however, mine never did escalate to police interaction. I laid everything out on the table when I applied. I didn't try to hide anything. I did have to have my family doctor sign off that I wasn't a nut case and I receieved my RPAL.

They will call you as they called. Whatever you send them in terms of extra information on additional paper. Make sure you remember it and say the exact same thing. They are going to make sure your story is consistent. If it bends anyway they may start to think something is fishy.

Plain and simple. Don't hide anything and you should be good to go.


Dave
 
Ok I have a unique knowledge of the program, leave it at that. Answer all questions 100% truthfully, because in the long run, your CFO is going to decide the fate of your license application and if they feel you're trying to be deceptive they will deny you.

Don't panic, these situations come through all the time. If you're story is the whole truth, I've seen people in worse shape get approved. For each question about personal history, answer yes/no as they apply to you and provide a brief explanation of your answer, don't write a book, but give them an idea of what happened. Your answers will be discussed in your interview where you can explain yourself more easily and if any further information is needed your AFO will be in touch with you. Don't freak about the paperwork, you will get a chance to explain the situation and the AFOs are usually reasonable. Cheers!
 
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