PAL / RPAL Thoughts...

M

maxflex

Member
EE Expired
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Location
Victoria, BC
I notice as I browse the queries and responses regarding the PAL application process that people seem to be getting hung up when they try and get a RPAL as an afterthought. I have to say in retrospect, I got some excellent advice when I took the original safety course - 'take and pass both exams at the same time!' I observe that people who do the non-restricted and then decide at a later date to add the restricted, tend to run into trouble. I also notice that people seem to be in a hurry to get the PAL immediately after taking the courses with a desire to acquire a gun as fast as possible. Not that there is anything wrong with that of course, but I think if you intend to be a serious shooter whether hunter or target, the trick is to plan well in advance and let the process take time. I don't think the police are into people who are in a hurry and when they think you are rushing the process they will take steps to slow it down. And, I hate to say it, but detail is king! You're dealing with government workers here - don't ever forget that! You have to fill out every box with the correct response and your paperwork has to be in order. Often people don't understand that a process can come to a grinding halt over a spelling mistake (as what happened to my wife) so make sure your application is complete and legible! Good luck!
Cheers,
 
maxflex said:
I notice as I browse the queries and responses regarding the PAL application process that people seem to be getting hung up when they try and get a RPAL as an afterthought. I have to say in retrospect, I got some excellent advice when I took the original safety course - 'take and pass both exams at the same time!' I observe that people who do the non-restricted and then decide at a later date to add the restricted, tend to run into trouble. I also notice that people seem to be in a hurry to get the PAL immediately after taking the courses with a desire to acquire a gun as fast as possible. ,
Click to expand...

I don't think waiting long periods of time to do anything is really in human nature. Who says I think I want to eat pizza for dinner 284 days from now? I understand the waiting period and the background checks for safety but there is no reason this process should exceed 45 days unless some one is truly questionable and the RCMP / CFO needs more time to check them out....

Just my 2 cents but I'm sure many on here feel the same.
 
maxflex said:
I notice as I browse the queries and responses regarding the PAL application process that people seem to be getting hung up when they try and get a RPAL as an afterthought. I have to say in retrospect, I got some excellent advice when I took the original safety course - 'take and pass both exams at the same time!' I observe that people who do the non-restricted and then decide at a later date to add the restricted, tend to run into trouble. I also notice that people seem to be in a hurry to get the PAL immediately after taking the courses with a desire to acquire a gun as fast as possible. Not that there is anything wrong with that of course, but I think if you intend to be a serious shooter whether hunter or target, the trick is to plan well in advance and let the process take time. I don't think the police are into people who are in a hurry and when they think you are rushing the process they will take steps to slow it down. And, I hate to say it, but detail is king! You're dealing with government workers here - don't ever forget that! You have to fill out every box with the correct response and your paperwork has to be in order. Often people don't understand that a process can come to a grinding halt over a spelling mistake (as what happened to my wife) so make sure your application is complete and legible! Good luck!
Cheers,
Click to expand...

what are you basing this on?...what queries are you browsing? what people are you observing? obviously not from this site since you joined today and this is your first post.
Also, you are wrong, there are many many people here who have upgraded their licenses and waited normal times.
But hey......thanks for the advice on how to fill out a form!
Great first post....
 
Having recently acquired a PAL/RPAL simultaneously with my wife, your post made me think, what are my thoughts about my experience. First some context, I had had minimal bolt and break action .22 pellet gun experience, and that's about it, my wife none. She had had interests in getting a license before we even met, but never got around to actually making it happen (based on misconceptions, and lies a PAL/RPAL licensed buddy fed her like police random inspections of your home).

I always had the intention of getting an RPAL and handguns, but it was far from a priority, and wanted to get started with rifles first. I queried this forum and others for advice, as well as friends and acquaintances that have their PAL and/or RPAL. Essentially, it boiled down to getting both done at the same time is a hell of a lot less work than getting the PAL first than adding the RPAL. Now that I have my PAL/RPAL, I'm glad I got both out of the way, or for about the same amount of effort, right now, I'd only have the PAL.

I was well aware of possible delays. We sent out applications for both, in June. My wife got hers in the mail in Sept/Oct. I got mine in Dec. Partially through no fault of the RCMP (my credit card was defrauded around the same time, so when they tried to bill me for the application, the credit card number provided was not valid. That delayed my application by a few weeks. Also, we completed our applications identically. Somehow her's had no problem, but mine needed me to have my photo stuck to the piece of paper physically, as opposed to merely being included in the same envelope. Seriously?!? So they had to send that part back to me for me to stick it on, and send back to them. Also, my wife got hers in the mail less than 2 weeks after her interviews. Mine took almost 2 months. The only explanation I got from the RCMP was that my wife's "must have been automatically approved while yours went to the CFO for actual approval". That's a PRETTY hefty difference. To be honest, I smell BS, and partially think ###ism played a role here. If not intentional, then the whole process is unbelievably non-uniform and luck plays a large role. In the end, from application to receiving PAL/RPAL for my wife was about 2 months. For me, 4 months. We sent them in at the exact same time, filled in exactly the same.

Now I have the luxury to keep an eye out for deals, and purchase ahead of when I might be actually interested in using something, because I have the RPAL.
 
Hi everyone,
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. Very thoughtful comments - thank you very much. In the end, I'm pleased I have the PAL/RPAL and I would encourage people to go for it for the principal of it. Kinda like your drivers licence and passport. Oh, wait, don't forget - your boat operators card :)
Have a great day!
Cheers,
Jeff
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom