Youth Charges and Acquiring PAL

[u/Gastons_Glock]

Burner account for privacy purposes.

Hello,

When I was 17 I was very immature and did some very stupid things. I was charged with, and pleaded guilty to manufacturing and possessing a firearm, as well as some other charges.

Now I’m 20 and I’ve completely turned my life around. I’ve completed my sentence, am in university, and am looking to get my PAL & RPAL before they start banning more guns. I don’t have a firearms prohibition order (thankfully), but I’m worried that since my access period is still open (until 2031), when I check yes under the “have you been charged in the last 5 years” section, they will look at my charges and probably deny the application.

The main reason for this post is I’m not sure how the access period and sealed records actually work for PAL applications and I can’t find any information for this that is pertinent to youth charges.

Will they always be able to see my charges since it’s the RCMP and a firearm related application? If so, then what difference would it make if I apply now vs after the record is sealed, I would rather get denied now than waste 5 years anticipating and get denied then. Conversely, if they are unable to see my charges after the access period ends, I’m scared that if I apply now, the denial and reason for denial will permanently be recorded in the RCMP database, potentially affecting future applications.

I hope that my mistakes in the past won’t permanently bar me from the privilege of owning firearms, and I hope to become one of you guys soon.

Any recommendations would be highly appreciated.

Thank you

Edit: A guy actually reported me to a CFO 💀. What a tool. It’s a good thing it would be a criminal offence to try and identify me

[u/SpectreBallistics]

Lawyer. You need one.

I'd guess firearm ownership isn't in the cards for you for awhile.

[u/curseyouZelda → u/SpectreBallistics]

Not unreasonably in my opinion.

[u/son_of_ghandicap → u/curseyouZelda]

C'mon man, that was a whole 3 years ago. A lifetime ago! He's a changed man! /s

[u/curseyouZelda → u/son_of_ghandicap]

My point exactly, you do the crime you do the time.

[u/cumbrad → u/curseyouZelda]

manufacture and possession of firearms is perfectly reasonable, if that’s all he was doing. I suspect there’s more to the story, but manufacturing and possessing/carrying a firearm for self defense should not be a criminal offense.

[u/Gastons_Glock → u/cumbrad]

There was indeed no more to the story

[u/curseyouZelda → u/cumbrad]

I’m gonna have to disagree with you there partner

[u/cumbrad → u/curseyouZelda]

Well if you disagree with peaceable manufacturing and possession/carry of firearms you’re simply wrong. It’s objectively a good thing and a human right that is among the most suppressed rights in the world. I carry a gun wherever I go in support of this right.

[u/Gastons_Glock → u/SpectreBallistics]

I have done that, thanks

[u/Dependent_Account603 → u/Gastons_Glock]

What exactly did you manufacture

[u/fart38]

Can we know more about the manufacturing a firearm story?

[u/Gastons_Glock → u/fart38]

I would, but people would say that “he’s talking about it like he doesn’t regret it”

[u/Opening_Pizza]

I would just wait the 2 years to be safe. This post discusses it https://www.reddit.com/r/canadaguns/comments/54u9np/juvenile_record_and_getting_a_pal_question/

[u/NiagaraBTC → u/Opening_Pizza]

Per that thread and my subsequent search to confirm, the PAL application asks about Youth Criminal Justice Act charges/convictions with either violence or a firearm involved.

So at this point I'm nearly certain that OP will be denied if he applies prior to his record being sealed (5 years after sentence completion).

[u/Gastons_Glock → u/NiagaraBTC]

I will indeed be waiting the 5 years

[u/TescoValueSoup]

You need to speak with a lawyer

[u/Phimosiswizard]

Speak to a lawyer

[u/Awkward_Cheetah7519]

If the charge was something like vandalism or something petty could've been fine but with a charge like making a firearm I think you can forget about gun ownership for this lifetime

[u/Gastons_Glock → u/Awkward_Cheetah7519]

People in my situation haven gotten their licenses before.

[u/NiagaraBTC]

My guess is that you'll be denied until your record is sealed.

I don't have more than that for you but I do want to say good for you for turning your life around.

I've worked in youth justice for nearly thirty years (if you're in Ontario there's a nonzero chance you know me, if you did Secure time) and it's always good to hear success stories.

[u/SignificantNorth1050]

Just try Canada pretty lenient. I'm a firefighter I was talking to a cop about oaks ect. He was saying he's had drug dealers with valid pals they get caught charged and there license suspended for 2 years and th n they are given them back. And 5 years is kinda what there looking for. For issues ev n me I was a addict and had mental health issues not long ago. And I got mine. Just be honest with them don't leave anything out. And youth is youth it's not in your adult record

[u/scottsuplol]

Would be worth contacting your chief fire arms office to discuss the route and probability. I would be working with a lawyer to get charges sealed or cleared from your record as well. But honestly I would not be surprised if you got denied

[u/NaiveTension4164]

I’m no lawyer maybe contact your CFO for your province but the fact you have firearms charges I would HOPE our system doesn’t allow people with firearms manufacturing charges whether your a youth or not at the time of the charge but like I said no clue

[u/Jimbo_Slice1919]

When I took the my course the instructor was very clear about the severity of prior criminal records. Specifically stating “have you ever assaulted an officer or something similar in the last 5 years? If no you should be fine” Your record is a youth record and you don’t have active prohibitions so you should be fine. If you applied now and were denied since it was less then 5 years you may just be denied and have to apply again after the 5 year time frame is up.

[u/Hungrygoomba]

With this government probably fine

[u/Lumindan]

Strangers on the Internet won't be able to fulfill your ask. Get a lawyer.

[u/Jazzlike_Finish123]

Possessing and manufacturing firearms.  For sport shooting? Hunting?  For sure nothing horrible though, right?  Anyways, hopefully you have to wait until 2031 at the earliest.

[u/Awkward_Cheetah7519 → u/Jazzlike_Finish123]

Is it just me that doesn't want people like this to own guns? 17 youre almost an adult I wouldnt trust this guy to own a gun ever

[u/Jazzlike_Finish123 → u/Awkward_Cheetah7519]

Yeah I don’t want criminals being legal licensed owners.  17 is still young enough that I wouldn’t usually push for a lifetime ban.  But the fact that his crimes were directly related to firearms…might be warranted.

[u/Gastons_Glock → u/Jazzlike_Finish123]

I was arrested in my home.