r/canadaguns • u/Silver_Ad2286 • May 28 '26
Application / Regulation advice Pal wait times
I submitted my PAL and RPAL application in January 2025 and I'm still waiting for a decision.
For full transparency, I disclosed on my application that I received a conditional discharge for assault and robbery charges 16 years ago. The conditional discharge was completed over 15 years ago.
It's been 13 months with no update, so I contacted my MP for assistance, but they weren't able to help. I then emailed the Premier's Office, and shortly after, I received a call from the OPP. They advised that someone would reach out within a month.
That was 3 months ago, and I still haven't heard back. Every time I call for an update, I'm told the file is "on the area officer's desk" and that they'll email the officer.
Has anyone dealt with a similar delay involving older charges and a conditional discharge? What would you recommend as the next step to get a response or move the file forward?
Edit: im in ontario
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u/Response-Cheap May 28 '26
No offence, but assault and robbery? I think the PAL is meant to prevent literally you from owning guns.. How long ago doesn't matter. The type of person who can assault and rob people probably shouldn't be trusted with firearms..
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u/Natural_Comparison21 May 28 '26
Then deny the guy his Pal. Sticking him in limbo is a very shitty thing to do. If the case is so closed and shut deny him the PAL and let him have his day in court if he chooses.
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u/Response-Cheap May 28 '26
Oh I agree. It took about 10 months for mine and I had a clean record. The system is pretty fucked. Just saying, people with a violent history can probably expect to get shuffled to the bottom of the pile a few times if they do it to guys with no history at all.
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u/Natural_Comparison21 May 28 '26
Yea and I got to agree with you that the system is pretty fucked. People should not have to wait nearly a year or over to see if they were approved or not. That’s messed up.
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u/Reasonable_Hall2346 May 28 '26
We don’t know whats happening behind the scenes. Maybe they are checking records or simply moved his application to the bottom of the pile and flagged for investigation. They will eventually get back to him.
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u/Infinite-Bill1072 May 28 '26
Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't you only supposed to disclose things that happened within the last 5 years?
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u/Diligent_Studio6763 May 28 '26
When I applied for my PAL in October I was curious about the same thing and when I called to ask they told me that C-21 had made it so that you have to answer to any charges or anything over the course of your whole life. I had a youth charge from 10 years ago so that’s why I called. No issue getting my PAL though!
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u/Rtgambit May 28 '26
Almost same boat - waiting since Feb 2025. Only difference is that I have no criminal history, and one single speeding ticket from 2014 in New York.
Despite numerous phone calls, emails, MPs office - nothing.
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u/KorporalKarnage May 28 '26
You will always have a "flag" on your file until you go to the arresting detachment in person and request the Destruction of Non-Conviction Form.
You will need to write out all the charges in your own handwriting on the form and they will sent it to Ottawa. If you are approved they will destroy all fingerprints, documents and files from the database and send you a letter stating as such. This generally stops the flagging. Helps when approving transfers as well.
Keep in mind all public documentation on your arrest will still be available from the court you were processed in and can be requested by anyone. Unless you were in the news it would be pretty hard to guess what to request from them which brings up the internet. The net never forgets...
You can also make a separate request to "hide" online details on your court appearances. This can also flag you. Banks and other financial institutions use online court records to see if you're a liability and can deny or expel you from their bank. Each province has different guidelines to restrict access to court documents. Best to email your provincial court authority on that one.
I won't judge you on your past. It looks like the system already did that. Good luck.
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u/Content_Sky_2676 May 28 '26
Start calling every month. I knew a guy who did that after a year of waiting, and 4 months into calling (16 months after application) they admitted they had lost his file when they first got it and only just found it because he had bothered them so much they went looking.
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u/CAFirearmSociety May 28 '26
Being in ON it may just be bad luck and is simply taking a long time. The robbery charge is a little concerning but doesn’t automatically disqualify you, were you charged as a youth?
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u/Tuxedo_Maskk May 28 '26
"I have a criminal record of assault and robbery. Why wont the police let me have a gun?"