r/canadaguns • u/SpicyMayo666 • May 22 '26

Application / Regulation advice Tricky Legal Decision and CFO Question(s) for Getting My PAL Back

Location: Ontario & no criminal record or history

Curious if anyone has experience with anything like this, will try to keep it as concise as possible.

My question is with an active Peace Bond, even one that specifically does not prohibit me from owning weapons can the CFO still use it to deny my PAL reapplication?

Do I just call them and tell them my charges were dropped? Do you still disclose a Peace Bond if it does not prohibit you from owning weapons?

Has anyone had their license taken away? What was the process like for getting it back? Do I send a letter to the CFO once found not guilty or ask my lawyer to do it?

Full timeline :

  1. Arrested in April 2025 for sexual assault (am innocent, crazy ex).
  2. May 2025 got a revocation of PAL letter, mailed in my PAL and gave my guns to a family member.
  3. Lawyered up got offered a few deals to make it go away said no because I’m innocent.
  4. Was offered a Peace Bond yesterday, when offered my lawyer told the crown “he’ll never go for it because he hunts and wants his guns back” so they agreed to write a special peace bond that DOES NOT prohibit me from owning guns (they are desperate)
  5. Lawyer says it’s up to me I’ve got a few days to decide but he’s extremely confident in our case. It’s just a matter of what I can afford at this point and if I want it all to be done or to go through the trial this summer.

If charges are dropped at pre trial in June or if we go to trial it will be in August, assuming I win what are the chances my license will be reinstated before deer season? I’ve entered the draw with fingers crossed.

Thank you.

43 Upvotes

91% Upvoted

18 comments sorted by

28

u/leaf_shift_post_2 May 22 '26

Crazy they revoked the pal with out a conviction.

I’d sue who ever accused you if you can’t get pistols or oic prohibs back.

24

u/PanfriedAgain May 22 '26

That’s because of the changes Bill C-21 made in 2023. Called “red-flag” laws anyone charged with a violent offence or found to be reasonably likely to commit one (uttering threats for instance) can have their licence revoked and their firearms seized.

1

u/Plasma_48 May 22 '26

Imagine if it was a different circumstance and the person was violent. As much as it sucks, I can understand having red flag laws so long as there is a way to prevent false accusations from completely denying access.

2

u/thisghy May 25 '26

Simple enough, you suspend the PAL and hold the firearms until the point the charges go thru or dont. If they dont then they should be returned... knowing our government however, that part wouldnt happen.

1

u/Plasma_48 May 25 '26

Oh, I was under the impression that was what happened and OP was just worried about bureaucracy taking it’s time. I didn’t realize it was a full revocation.

36

u/airchinapilot May 22 '26 edited May 22 '26

Normally these are removed but you spent time typing this up - and you already got legal advice - and you are asking a specific question about how to proceed after your charges are dropped.

My take is that the CFO probably has that information already so you should disclose it. Possibly get your lawyer to help draft the letter with the accompanying information.

Having these types of charges dropped is fairly common. I bet the CFO deal with these cases all the time.

16

u/SpicyMayo666 May 22 '26

Thank you for both publishing my post and the info on the CFO I have no experience with them other than having my license taken (via mail)

7

u/PantherD1943 May 22 '26

Your lawyer should be able to deal with the CFO. But if he isn't, you may need another one to deal with the revocation and refusal to reinstate your licence. Such a decision would be an administrative law issue if there is no criminal law or court ordered prohibition. If you have a membership with the CSSA, they have a legal line that could maybe refer you somewhere - not sure if they can assist with representation.

5

u/givemehellll al May 22 '26

Yes, the CFO could use it, however in my experience they are very much likely to approve your re-application.

3

u/masterscoonar May 23 '26

After having gone through something similar I can tell you there is hope if getting your shit back yeah.

12

u/[deleted] May 22 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

11

u/Impossible-King-435 May 23 '26

You are being downvotes because majority of these redditors either have never been with a woman, or have not gone through shit caused by woman yet. Everybody learns from their own mistakes, wise men learn from others' mistakes

3

u/Impossible-King-435 May 23 '26

My license application (for a new license) got delayed over a year because of a 10 year old peace bond (similar circumstances, but I was accused of domestic violence instead). I also refused to sign it, but the judge ordered me to saying that my ex's fear of me doesn't have to be objective (in order words even if the fear is imaginary I have to sign the bond). He also said it's not a punitive action, it's a preventive action. But I did get punished: denied entry into USA, delayed security guard license, delayed gun license.

1

u/Cautious-Put-2648 May 23 '26

10 years ago? I was reading that information gets sealed over time.

1

u/Impossible-King-435 May 23 '26

Not domestic violence. It stays for life.

2

u/DoYouGetSarcasm May 22 '26

If your lawyer can't give you a good answer then it sounds like you need a lawyer who specializes in firearms law to advise you on the ramifications of this peace bond and potentially argue for you in court.

1

u/suckmeupp May 24 '26

Similar situation, I've had my pal and rpal for over 10 years, when I applied I was on a peace bond. Disclose it, write them a letter explaining what happened and that the charges were dropped include it in the same envelope as your application and you should be okay.