r/canadaguns • u/AutoModerator • Aug 14 '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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2

u/[deleted] Aug 17 '22

Is it too late to apply for a restricted firearms PAL?

I completed my CFSC and have my little green card to confirm so. I haven’t finished filling in all my info on my PAL application because I didn’t receive a report from my course on how I did and I haven’t done the hunting courses yet so I do not have my hunter’s card. To add to that, getting in contact with the RCMP to answer my questions about the form has been extremely difficult and long due to the high volume of people trying to reach them either via email or phone. Basically, I want to know if I can still take the restricted class, get my report, fill in the form for both restricted and non-restricted at the same time, get my PAL for both classes of firearms and buy at least one handgun before the freeze that is supposed to come into power this fall or should I give up on ever legally buying some pistols in Canada. The earliest I can take the class is on labor day (September 5th)

5

u/_Connor Aug 17 '22

The freeze is happening in like 6 weeks. The current wait time to get a license (regardless if it's just PAL or also RPAL) is like 6 months.

Even if you sent in your application tomorrow, you're shit out of luck for pistols my friend.

2

u/[deleted] Aug 17 '22

Damn. I kinda expected this response but I wanted to believe I still had a chance. Thanks for responding nonetheless. I guess i’ll only be renting out handguns at ranges instead of owning them. A real shame :(

6

u/_Connor Aug 17 '22

Doesn't hurt to still get the RPAL. Never know what will happen in the future.

2

u/Grimmerthan Aug 17 '22

As u/_Connor says, it doesn't hurt. Having the RPAL may translate to having less oversight from the range officers, as well as ensuring you've had fundamental training in firearm safety.

5

u/Rocifer_ Aug 17 '22

More than just hand guns in restricted, better to get it encase a chance to own handguns comes again

1

u/[deleted] Aug 17 '22

True. I was going to do the course regardless as eventually I would like to own restricted rifles and shotguns but I was hoping to still be able to beat the deadline even though it seems impossible.

3

u/Ordinary-Commercial9 Aug 17 '22 edited Aug 17 '22

With the CFO's being extremely backlogged currently it appears as though there's an expected wait time of 5-6 months prior to license approval nowadays.

If your goal specifically was to get a handgun prior to the upcoming ban then unfortunately it doesn't look like you'll have the timeframe to make it happen.

Still lots of neat NR's and even some cool restricted rifles if that interested you enough to still go for your restricted though!

2

u/[deleted] Aug 17 '22

Thanks for the info. I was hoping to primarily get handguns with the restricted and be able to mod them but I do like a lot of restricted rifles and shotguns so I’ll definitely do the course and apply for the restricted PAL regardless. I was just hoping that I could’ve had at least one handgun before the ban.

3

u/giovannigionta Aug 17 '22

I would still do my restricted course and apply for the license as this gives you the option to buy restricted riffles and if you are lucky purchase a handgun if the bill is delayed for whatever reason. If ever one day the freeze is removed, you will be ahead of the rush to get your restricted at that point.

Not sure how it works in other provinces, but in Quebec you need to have a RPAL and be a member to access pistol bays without being accompanied by a member or staff. At my range, you can rent a handgun from them for a small fee of 10$ per handgun and buy their ammo at fair market value which allows to shoot as you please. You will not be able to own your own but you can at least practice the sport if you want to.

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u/[deleted] Aug 17 '22

Thanks for answering. Yea I think that will be my next course of action. I’ll do the course regardless and get restricted rifles eventually when I get a membership to a certified range. I am from Quebec so I’ll get my RPAL and rent out handguns from ranges even though it pains me to think that I won’t be able to own and modify my own handguns and take care of them at home.