r/canadaguns • u/AutoModerator • Jul 10 '22

Weekly Newbies & FAQ Thread - Post your questions here for PAL/RPAL application, timelines, CFSC/CFSRC, references & requirements, or general new to firearms ownership -type questions

This thread will be used for the "new"-type questions, PAL/RPAL applications, references, CFSC/CFRSC requirements, storage/transport, or other general "new-to-me" firearms ownership questions.

In response to this thread, the community was quite positive for a thread to cover these subjects.

These threads will be stickied for a week, renewing every Sunday @ about 0600 AST. Previous threads here. Take a look, your question may have been answered!

If you have any suggestions for this thread, please feel free to ask here, or send the Mods a message.

Thank you!

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u/Cold_Juggernaut_5676 Jul 13 '22

One of the questions on the PAL application is ever having a suicide attempt or being treated for depression. 16 years ago I had a suicide attempt and was apprehended by the police and taken to the hospital. I was hospitalized for about a week and have been treated for depression ever since with medication. Other than a couple minor relapses with the depression over the years (no other suicide attempts or anything if the sort) my depression has been well managed. Obviously I need to disclose this and need to disclose the fact that I am still on medication for depression so how will this effect my application? It’s been 16 years so I hope that plays into it that it’s been so long ago. Will this possibly be grounds for denying my application?

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u/wert989 Jul 13 '22

From what I gathered from the past threads is that if you're upfront about it, it most likely won't prevent you from getting your license.

That said it may slow down your application. I had to check off the same boxes for depression and stuff I went through >10 years ago too and so far I've been waiting closer to 8 months compared to some of the others who sent their applications around the same time, who had to wait around 5-6 months roughly.

It's also recommended that 1. You write a letter yourself to explain the situation and 2. you talk to one of the medical professionals you've worked with to get their opinion and hopefully get them to write you a letter, confirming that your past history has been dealt with and that they don't see a reason why you shouldn't get a firearm license. I've read that it prevents them from having to contact you themselves to get the information later on which would slow down the process even more.

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u/Cold_Juggernaut_5676 Jul 13 '22

Okay thanks for the reply, I was already planning on writing a letter myself but never thought about getting my doc to write one. That’s what I’ll do. Thanks.