r/canadaguns • u/gaber3011 • 11d ago
Application / Regulation advice Question regarding PAL/RPAL and someone who maybe shouldn't be approved
Hi there,
Not sure if this was the place to ask but not sure where else to go/what to necessarily do.
A few years back a friend and I took the Firearms licensing courses and got our paperwork, I submitted mine, got my PAL/RPAL but never ended up getting a gun/shooting more than a few times with some other friends. This friend in question never submitted his paperwork so he still has to go through the application and all that but he did pass the course so he has it.
My question is who should I contact regarding him potentially not being a good fit for a gun. He's my friend and has been for over a decade but in the past few years, I've seen him become a lot angrier, he lashes out a lot more (e.g started hitting punching his car because he forgot swim trunks for a beach trip, the beach was a 7 min drive from where we stayed so we could've just drove back), and honestly his politcal takes are starting to make me nervous, especially with how he has supported the assassination of several political figures/commentators in very recent times. The thing is he is also a kind person, smart, good job, and the only time I've ever seen him fight other people was when they had started it. Ultimately though, I am nervous about the idea of him having a gun and the potential for this mindset he has to get worse and he maybe acts on something. I did have a sit down with him before and talked to him about his anger problems and how maybe he needs to reconsider owning a gun but that conversation didn't go the greatest and I doubt he will be asking me to be his reference for his PAL application.
Maybe I'm too worried, and if so, please call me out but if not, I'd be thankful for advice.
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u/OniDelta al 11d ago
Anyone can call the RCMP at any time and report stuff like this when it concerns a PAL and firearms ownership.
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u/StairwayHiker 11d ago
The leap from depression or an angry person/extreme political takes to a mass shooting danger to society is massive.
If the government banned every person who had contrary political views or even mild anger issues from owning guns there would be few gun owners. The same holds true for depression and even psychosis because they are mostly temporary imbalances and not associated with killing.
If you really don’t like a lot about your friend, then find a new friend.
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u/LongRoadNorth 11d ago edited 11d ago
Mass shooting maybe, but killing a spouse or themselves not so much.
Just saying someone already showing these signs might not be the best candidate for a firearms license until they get their anger issues under control.
He lashes out like op described by punching their car etc over something so minimal how will they react to something worse when they have access to a firearm?
I have to ask how old is this guy even? To act out like that as an adult is pretty fucking embarrassing too. To have no emotional regulation over such a miniscule thing
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u/AntiNakedman 11d ago
Call your local CFO and make your public safety concerns known. If you don’t make a report, he won’t be flagged when/if he finally applies.
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u/Traditional_Bank2200 11d ago
How much is the PAL/RPAL course, like $200?
I would sit down with your homie and explain to him that when you apply for your license online, that you are giving the RCMP permission to run a background check. Reiterate to your friend that the privilege of gun ownership in Canada comes at the cost of being monitored.
This is the price we pay to own rifles. Not all PAL holders are created equal - but most try not to be a sketchy shitbags so they can maintain that privilege.
Ask your friend that if he’s okay throwing away $200. Let him know there is a high chance his application will be denied if he continues to act this way.
Might change his tune, good luck OP!
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u/Agent_1812 https://youtu.be/mrAwb9ptu9U 11d ago
Ask your friend that if he’s okay throwing away $200
He has already passed the course
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u/Traditional_Bank2200 11d ago
An individual can get 100/100 on the written test and do a perfect ACTS/PROVE blindfolded while juggling.
The RCMP don’t care that you can demonstrate how to keep your booger hook of the bang switch (although many people do in fact fail the test).
The CFO cares more about history of mental health, criminal record, social media posts, what content you consume, what rhetoric you repeat, your financial situation, or if you are recently divorced and lost custody.
They don’t need many reasons to reject a PAL/RPAL application.
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u/edyuster 11d ago
If this guy didn't submit his papers don't remind him or bring it up. Out of sight out of mind.
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u/floppy_breasteses 11d ago
No need to do anything. Until he's licenced he can't get a gun legally. If he gets one illegally then the licencing or your objection won't matter anyway.
Sounds like you need to talk with your friend. If one of my friends was going down a troubling path I'd sit him down and get to the bottom of it.
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u/kipongakunippon 11d ago
I heard a lady in smitties say we should kill trump because hes rude I told her saying we should kill someone because they are rude is pretty rude once you make people slightly mad you realize how thing their veil of peace is fact is a lot of people talk about assassinating leaders youve probably said it to at some point even that stupid saying parents always say : i brought you into this world and i can take you out :::ew
i wouldnt say this is grounds for what you are talking about but you ight try talking to your supposed friend
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u/julienjj 11d ago
I'm surprised your course instructor never mentionned this.
You can (and probably should) report any user/situation for safety concerns or if it was compromised including for unsafe storage or transportation.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)'s Canadian Firearms Program at 1-800-731-4000 or by e-mail at [cfp-pcaf@rcmp-grc.gc.ca](mailto:cfp-pcaf@rcmp-grc.gc.ca).
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u/waitwhatnothing 10d ago
The course is just a prerequisite, you could have a criminal record and a weapons prohibition and go take the course and get 100%. The application is where the rcmp and CFO will look into the background of an applicant and decide whether or not they should be granted a firearms license. If your friend hasn’t started this process then I don’t think there’s a way to pre-emptively report or flag him since he won’t be in the system. To them he’s no different than any other person who hasn’t applied for a PAL.
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u/NemrahG 11d ago
If he took the course a few years ago and never went thru with the application, why do you think he’ll do it now? No point in doing anything if he’s not bothering to get a license.