PAL Test and Security Clearance

B

BreakaMecha

New member
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Hey Everyone,


Long time member, but first (almost) time poster. I have a couple questions regarding the PAL test and the security clearance required but I'll give a little background info. I have taken the PAL course and the Hunters course about 2.5 years ago. We did the hunters reg test but for whatever reason they never gave us the PAL test and to this day I haven't taken the test. I own the book ('Canadian Firearms Safety Course') and remember most of the hands on course stuff, but I'm still not 100% confident on the hands-on as I don't regularily handle firearms. Truth be told I am more interested in acquiring my PAL for the Security Clearance that it offers, as I am trying to get a job in the nuclear sector (I'm an Enginer) and if I already have security clearance it greatly improves my chances. So I'll list my questions:


- Is the 'Federal Security Clearance' for firearms the same as the 'Security Clearance' to work in a Nuclear Sector Job? ie is there a single generic type of federal security clearance?

- How long does the security clearance take on average (I know the stat is 28 days but is this consistently average)? (born/raised in canada entire life, never left north america, 5th generation canadian citizen, never arrested and no trouble ever with authorities)

- Does anyone have any resources ie practice exams and videos of the "hands on" portion of the tests? I would greatly appreciate this!


Thanks in advance for all responses!


BM
 
Astroman said:
Here are some videos about proving that firearms are safe:
http://firearms-safety-course.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2&Itemid=3

You should also be able to find the CFSC PAL video on youtube somewhere. The link has been posted on these forums before but I'm unable to locate it.

I Hope that this helps.
Click to expand...

Thanks this is a big help!

paulm1 said:
No, the security clearances are two seperate entities. Having the PAL security clearance will not help in the nuclear field.
Click to expand...

Ruger30-06 said:
The security check on the firearms side is similar to a criminal background check.
Click to expand...

I've read that the security clearance checks are done by the treasury bureau, but they don't really do a lot to clarify the differences, if any. I imagine that one security clearance would be just as good as another? I'm still trying to find a definitive answer on this, so thanks for all your input.


best,

BM
 
the security clearance to work in the nuclear safety field is a lot more in depth. ive had several security clearances for my job in the federal government and they take a long time. the PAL one is more a criminal history check, references that kind of thing.
i would probably leave the PAL out of any interview involving nuclear safety, they might have the impression that you are a firearm owner with access to nuclear material. for a paranoid type that could give the wrong impression.
 
The background check for a PAL is nothing like a security clearance. It simply is an enhanced criminal records check, as well as (sometimes) a fishing expedition for negative comments from the distaff side. Security clearances look at associations past and present, perhaps of yourself and family, personal habits that may compromise your abiliity to resist coercion, and the like.

In today's PC world, I have no idea how security vetting officers identify undesirable associations and behavior, but it used not to be advantageous to have living family behind the Iron Curtain, nor to have a preference for those of the same ###, or those married, but not to yourself. I suppose today the only red flag wold be active participation in tango training in Somalia, or gambling debts that attract the interest of the two wheeled motorized collection agency. Members of the two wheeled motorized collection agency, however, get security clearnaces to work the ramp in Pearson airport though, so who knows.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom