The scariest/weirdest thing just happened with my application process. please help!

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challenge

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Ok, its been a while since I have updated the status of my RPAL/PAL application on this forum. But here is a brief background of my application process. Please read on, because something weird happened today and im wondering if this is normal or has happened to anyone else...

So October 2013 I applied for PAL and RPAL. Interviews were all done, including my two references and all went well. But then they did a background search on me and found out that I've had a few drug charges in the last 5 years (not trafficking, and no violent stuff). However I was never convicted, the charges were withdrawn. So the lady on the phone said my firearms application will be investigated further based on the fact that i was charged even though the charges were dropped. She said this takes time and no guarantee i will get the licenses (which almost brought me to tears!). This pisses me off because I thought we live in a country where you are innocent until proven guilty. I was never convicted and the charges were all dropped, so in my opinion they shouldn't use this against me.

Anyway, I will get to the point. I've been waiting for something to happen with my application. The last update they gave me was that my application is currently with the CFO of Ontario. Now here is the weird thing that happened today: I was at work, and at about 2pm a man rings my doorbell. No answer because I was at work. He then rings the side entrance doorbell (which goes to the basement apartment and people live down there. The girl answered her door and the man said "Hi I am from the Canadian Firearms Department, I am looking for David S., Does he live here? She told the man i live upstairs. So he said thank you, and left. Apparently he was well dressed in a suit. He did not leave a card, or anything for me to contact him back with. What should I do? What do you think this was all about? And has this happened to anyone before? No one called me to forewarn me that someone would be coming over to my house, and I don't know what to do at this point. Should I try calling the CFO and explain what happened, or just wait a bit?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, especially from someone who has been through this same scenario and had a surprise visitor.

Thanks in advance for some help guys.

-Dave
 
Call the CFO back you were selected for a face to face my dad had one year's ago when he had to get his PAL.
 
Call the CFO and ask them what's up. If it's legit maybe you can get it sorted out, and if some guy's running around trying to scam people they should know about it.
 
It has never happened to me ; but it sounds like they were doing a follow up interview for your application . It would be best to call the CFOs office for an update on your application.......and mention that your neighbour said someone had been by looking for you.....
 
challenge said:
Ok, its been a while since I have updated the status of my RPAL/PAL application on this forum. But here is a brief background of my application process. Please read on, because something weird happened today and im wondering if this is normal or has happened to anyone else...

So October 2013 I applied for PAL and RPAL. Interviews were all done, including my two references and all went well. But then they did a background search on me and found out that I've had a few drug charges in the last 5 years (not trafficking, and no violent stuff). However I was never convicted, the charges were withdrawn. So the lady on the phone said my firearms application will be investigated further based on the fact that i was charged even though the charges were dropped. She said this takes time and no guarantee i will get the licenses (which almost brought me to tears!). This pisses me off because I thought we live in a country where you are innocent until proven guilty. I was never convicted and the charges were all dropped, so in my opinion they shouldn't use this against me.

Anyway, I will get to the point. I've been waiting for something to happen with my application. The last update they gave me was that my application is currently with the CFO of Ontario. Now here is the weird thing that happened today: I was at work, and at about 2pm a man rings my doorbell. No answer because I was at work. He then rings the side entrance doorbell (which goes to the basement apartment and people live down there. The girl answered her door and the man said "Hi I am from the Canadian Firearms Department, I am looking for David S., Does he live here? She told the man i live upstairs. So he said thank you, and left. Apparently he was well dressed in a suit. He did not leave a card, or anything for me to contact him back with. What should I do? What do you think this was all about? And has this happened to anyone before? No one called me to forewarn me that someone would be coming over to my house, and I don't know what to do at this point. Should I try calling the CFO and explain what happened, or just wait a bit?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, especially from someone who has been through this same scenario and had a surprise visitor.

Thanks in advance for some help guys.

-Dave
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M'kay. I'm going to relate my personal experience to you. Hopefully I don't reveal too much about myself...

I applied for my RPAL in order to take possession of two rifles I had inherited (long ago).
It had come to the attention of the police that I had those two rifles and was unlicensed.
They were very nice about it - and came by shortly after coming into that information, that I might 'voluntarily' surrender them until such time that I became licensed.

During my application process (which I began immediately after surrendering them), I was charged with uttering threats.
So it's a long story, but my application process was delayed until such time as my charges were dealt with (Withdrawn). But that took several months before the charges were withdrawn.

Even though the charge was withdrawn, you're on the radar. There is a CPIC entry for you.

So with that in mind, you may forgive the CFO if he/she is a little reticent to approve your application.

In my case, I waited a real long time (almost two years) before I called the CFO up and asked what the issue was.
We had some telephone talk time, and shortly thereafter my application was approved.

So I guess the moral of the story is that being known to police will probably make the process somewhat longer, and it's probably a good idea to get some 'face-time' with the CFO.

It's much easier to feel comfortable about making a decision on someone's character when you've actually spoken to them.
I wish I had done it sooner, myself.

As for actually showing up un announced at your door - I have never heard of such a thing.

But it would seem odd to me that the person identified themselves as from Canadian Firearms Department.
Truthfully, if that happened to me - I would be questioning the 'privacy' aspect of them identifying you to your neighbours as someone who *may* own firearms.

Wouldn't that be the implication left with your neighbour?
 
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That whole 'innocent until proven guilty' thing doesn't last long once you take a closer look at our gun laws...

Long story short, each and every member on these boards, and 2 million others, are automatic federal criminals. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Merely posessing a gun is an automatic criminal charge... Unless we keep paying the government for these shiny little licence cards that say it isn't.
 
I would empathize if you said, " I was charged with offences I did not commit" where as it appears you where charged but there wasn't enough to pursue a conviction.

And "charged a few times"?

Innocent till proven guilty, yaya let's put that aside.

I think you'll get you Rpal. Do you think you'll deserve it? I'm mean given the evidence of course.
 
My guess is they actually don't have enough to deny you your PAL, but they are making you jump through extra hoops and wait longer in hopes you will give up. Maybe a face to face for some applications isn't a horrible idea though.

Random question, is there any way you can see what is on CPIC about you? Do we have a right to see that information? I have passed simple background checks several times for teaching and of course for my pal... however I would still be curious if a "drinking in public" ticket from when I was 19 is on there, I actually talked my way out of that ticket funny enough and was issued a "warning ticket". Moments later, another guy wasn't as lucky and received a heavy handed beating in what basically changed my opinion on police for the rest of my life... anyway... As I understand it, I don't think any of that stuff really goes away fully, I know a friend who got a weapons charge when he was 18, the weapon was literally a pocket knife found on him when they randomly searched him as a squeegee kid, he got the charge dropped easily... he is a successful man now. When he travels to the USA they ask him about his weapons charge every time, even though it was totally dropped it never left his file. Now if you call the police for help in terms of suicide they are recording it and sharing that with the US border guards too. Sad...
 
Call the CFO and ask about your status of PAL and that someone came to see you personally. You will find out what they want and also to see if the visit was legit ( probably was ). I think a face to face will get the ball rolling faster for you. Now I don't know your housing situation is but it sounds like you live in a multi unit dwelling. If guy didn't have proper info on which unit or units are not properly marked , I can see how he kept going door to door. But the way that he introduced himself with being with the firearms department or however that came out was unprofessional and not right, and would upset all of us. Should of been, does (insert name here) live here, nope he lives upstairs. Well have a good day m'am. If it were me I'd call not say anything, jump through their hoops do a cart wheel, what ever they ask. Get my application done while eating a sh1t sandwhich and smiling the whole time. And when I get my PAL in my hand, if it was still bothering me I could file a complaint then with the ombudsman on what happened. complaining to the CFO at this point in time in your situation may slow down that ball. Eat your sh1t sandwhich, smile and then see how you feel when it digests.

My .2 cents
 
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Thank you all for you replies and input on my situation. Yes I do think it was very strange that the gentleman identified himself as being from the firearms department and looking for me. The lady that lives downstairs now seems a bit weary when I run into her out on the driveway. I had to explain to her that I am not in trouble or anything, and that I am simply applying for a firearms license so that I may go to the shooting range. She was actually quite scared at first because as she put it "the man looked like an FBI agent".

Anyhow, I took your guys' advice and gave the CFO a call and left a polite message. Hopefully everything goes well and they call me back.
 
challenge said:
Yes I do think it was very strange that the gentleman identified himself as being from the firearms department and looking for me.
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It is speculation(and possibly a bit pedantic) on my part but I really doubt he identified himself as "From the Firearms Department". He probably said something like a standard introduction police give including his name and the agency he was with and that he was there on behalf of the CFC. All she heard was FIREARMS!!! I'm sure she edited in her head what he actually said and by the sounds of it has a whole dialog going on in her head. Don't let her reaction rub off on you. Like the others said, it is probably just one more hoop. I know how you feel though. Any little hiccup gets the mind racing.
 
Quote "She was actually quite scared at first because as she put it "the man looked like an FBI agent".

Hummm his name wouldn't be Smith by any chance would it?

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K-Roc said:
Random question, is there any way you can see what is on CPIC about you? Do we have a right to see that information? I have passed simple background checks several times for teaching and of course for my pal... however I would still be curious if a "drinking in public" ticket from when I was 19 is on there, I actually talked my way out of that ticket funny enough and was issued a "warning ticket". Moments later, another guy wasn't as lucky and received a heavy handed beating in what basically changed my opinion on police for the rest of my life... anyway... As I understand it, I don't think any of that stuff really goes away fully, I know a friend who got a weapons charge when he was 18, the weapon was literally a pocket knife found on him when they randomly searched him as a squeegee kid, he got the charge dropped easily... he is a successful man now. When he travels to the USA they ask him about his weapons charge every time, even though it was totally dropped it never left his file. Now if you call the police for help in terms of suicide they are recording it and sharing that with the US border guards too. Sad...
Click to expand...

As far as I know, you are able access this information through the Freedom of Information Act.

One cannot simply ask a cop to punch in their name and see what comes up, as I'm pretty sure that would *technically* be a violation of the cop code of ethics for them to do so.

I have researched removal of this information for my particular situation - and am told that CPIC entries will be removed after a certain period of time by the RCMP.
However, there will remain a record of my arrest at the local police department through which I was arrested.

It is possible to petition that local police force (at least in my case) to have the entry (fingerprints and everything) removed from records.
The Police Dept. in question would then make a decision as to whether or not to comply with that request.

Again, a certain period of time must pass, and even then - they are not obligated to do so.

If you search through the RCMP website, you are likely to find more concrete answers than I am giving here. I am speaking of my own circumstance - and the rules vary from circumstance to circumstance.
 
Well, I had my face to face interview with an officer from the Ontario CFO. He came to my home this morning. The interview went on for almost two hours. The officer had done a thorough investigation of my life. Any time I had ever been pulled over in my car, he knew about and had documentation of every single time I've ever come into contact with police. It was a tough interview, I will admit. There are things from my past I had no idea they cared about or considered when evaluating a firearms application.

I am worried I may be denied my Pal/Rpal. He said he would tell me his decision later today after showing my application to his supervisor.

Fingers are crossed and I am very cautiously optimistic.
 
Damn... First time i ever hear of such an interview it's like worse than if you were a suspect for murder loll
I really don't see any reasons for that much background check and wondering if you couldn't complain to your MP or someone about this "harassment" case, cause it looks like harassment.
Hell you're just asking for a license that 100,000 other peoples are asking and they don't get that treatment.

Were you in a famous biker gang before? loll
 
kobs said:
Damn... First time i ever hear of such an interview it's like worse than if you were a suspect for murder loll
I really don't see any reasons for that much background check and wondering if you couldn't complain to your MP or someone about this "harassment" case, cause it looks like harassment.
Hell you're just asking for a license that 100,000 other peoples are asking and they don't get that treatment.

Were you in a famous biker gang before? loll
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I'm surprised you guys have this reaction.

OP said a FEW drug charges.

That's not getting caught with a joint, that sounds more like a lifestyle issue. i.e the drug life.


Oh, no that doesn't deserve a better looking into does it?
 
safety first said:
I'm surprised you guys have this reaction.

OP said a FEW drug charges.

That's not getting caught with a joint, that sounds more like a lifestyle issue. i.e the drug life.

Oh, no that doesn't deserve a better looking into does it?
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This guy gets it. You've got a record. Criminal or not you've been identified by the police a few times. Now you want a gun. The social engineering of making guns "bad" is complete. The people now in power feel that guns are bad!. I'm glad they did the interview with you. You should be too. They want to see you, your home, your lifestyle. All they have to go on is paperwork. And since "guns are bad", anyone asking for one is by default 'bad'. Their job is to check that you're the exception. Society & police cannot keep illegal guns out of criminal hands, but we can try and keep legal ones out of criminal hands.
 
safety first said:
I'm surprised you guys have this reaction.

OP said a FEW drug charges.

That's not getting caught with a joint, that sounds more like a lifestyle issue. i.e the drug life.


Oh, no that doesn't deserve a better looking into does it?
Click to expand...

This is what the op said "I've had a few drug charges in the last 5 years (not trafficking, and no violent stuff). However I was never convicted, the charges were withdrawn.

That could also mean he was hanging out with the wrong crowd without necessarily being one of them, which could be why the charges were dropped. You could be somewhere when a raid is going down and police will wrap everyone inside without regard and all will be charged of the same crime (been there when i was a minor) and all you can say being pushed into the truck is WTF!!
Edit: all they found that time was 2 ounces of weed. Someone had called and said there were too many young weird looking peoples going into that appartment
 
I am not surprised that they investigated as deep as they did. Even though I have no record I am in the system due to a charge in 2007 and one in 2012. The 2012 one was unfortunate because the charge should have gone to someone else. I've been drug-free nearly 5 years.

I have learned this... if you have any run-ins with the law, you will be further investigated, and they look at everything including driving history, finances, health, etc. all of these subjects came up in the interview.
 
Well, I was denied the license, and told if I re-apply in 2017, I will likely be approved. They want to see 3 years of compliance with the law. Since my last charge was 2 years ago, that would make me a law-abiding citizen for 5 years in 2017, and thus eligible for a firearms license.

So, even though my charge was completely withdrawn in court, and I've never been convicted, it doesn't matter. They go by the simple fact I was charged with something. Guilty or not, doesn't matter.

What's your guys opinion on that? I have mixed feelings about it.
 
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