Firearms PAL Licence Process

[AndyF]

It is mandatory for Canadians to take a 125.00 gun safety course and exam prior to applying for a firearm Possession and Acquisition (PAL) license.

Once having passed the exam, the applicant's form triggers an investigative screening process where the applicant is checked for suitability for a license, one of which is a criminal record check.

So it is obvious there is a potential to be refused on this bases.

Knowing this in advance, wouldn't it be ethical to announce this possibility to all
safety course students, or at least refund the money if refused? I mean the potential killers out there who are just barely trying to remain collected and to see some good in the society they live in, are now being delivered a bad news that they are out 125.00.

Better still, do the investigation first then tell the people they can now take the safety test. Imagine how much more of an incentive to pass the test knowing they have completed 95% of the process.

Frankly, this process doesn't give me extra comfort at night knowing it's us who set this guy off and created the straw that broke the camels back. Besides, they probably can get what they want on the black market.

Do you think potential applicants should be warned first?

Andy

 

[VanIsle]

No. Only honest applicants will apply anyway. You know about it, don't you think others do? My husband has to go take the $125.00 course and have all the other tests done. He knows about it, my sons knew about it. It's not new news.

 

[DaSleeper]

I have been a pistol target shooter since the 60's (Not very good at it but I enjoyed it) and during those years it was my job as part time range-master to coach the newcomers in range procedure and safety...\Imagine my surprise when it came time for me to take the course for my possession and acquisition certificate (Yes I still had to take it)
The Instructor was a guy I had coached years before ...:lol:

 

[TenPenny]

It is mandatory for Canadians to take a 125.00 gun safety course and exam prior to applying for a firearm Possession and Acquisition (PAL) license.

Once having passed the exam, the applicant's form triggers an investigative screening process where the applicant is checked for suitability for a license, one of which is a criminal record check.

So it is obvious there is a potential to be refused on this bases.

Knowing this in advance, wouldn't it be ethical to announce this possibility to all
safety course students, or at least refund the money if refused? I mean the potential killers out there who are just barely trying to remain collected and to see some good in the society they live in, are now being delivered a bad news that they are out 125.00.

Better still, do the investigation first then tell the people they can now take the safety test. Imagine how much more of an incentive to pass the test knowing they have completed 95% of the process.

Frankly, this process doesn't give me extra comfort at night knowing it's us who set this guy off and created the straw that broke the camels back. Besides, they probably can get what they want on the black market.

Do you think potential applicants should be warned first?

Andy

People with mental health issues and such will also be refused.

What's your problem?

 

[AnnaG]

And yet another thread on firearms to add to the dozens there already are. How lazy and lame can people get if they can't type "firearms" into the search bar and use an existing thread.

 

[lone wolf]

If the government takes your money, it will keep your money. The concept is just as old as: there are no guarantees.

 

[Colpy]

You do NOT have to take any course.....simply challenge the test.......

 

[DaSleeper]

You do NOT have to take any course.....simply challenge the test.......

I think you're right.....I just checked the paperwork in my gun locker for 2001...and it jogged my recollection....My old style Fac was expiring in the fall of 2001 and the only place I could challenge the test was in Hearst 60 miles away and they were giving the course there that day with the test at the end of the course and I had to sit through the course but wasn't charged for it....
I had to pay $30 for the test (Canadian restricted firearm safety course)
And to that receipt I have an $80 canceled certified check made out to the Receiver General...... must have been for my certificate :?:
I only got 99% on the test and to this day I believe one question was a bullsh*t question so nobody could get 100:lol:

 

[bobnoorduyn]

You do NOT have to take any course.....simply challenge the test.......

Are you sure? I believe first time firearms owners, (or applicants) have to take the course. If you are an owner and just have a POL you need only challenge the exam, at least that's my recollection. Though I didn't have to take the course I believe my kids do, but if they don't that would be terrific, not to mention convenient.

 

[bobnoorduyn]

I had to pay $30 for the test (Canadian restricted firearm safety course)
And to that receipt I have an $80 canceled certified check made out to the Receiver General...... must have been for my certificate :?:
I only got 99% on the test and to this day I believe one question was a bullsh*t question so nobody could get 100:lol:

I did mine about the same time, when I aquired an new .45. I had to write both restricted and non, plus do the practical test for both. The Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation charged $40 for each whether you took the course or not, but I didn't take the course because of time constraints and was the only one in the room at the time. The exams were nearly the same with only about 3 questions being different. I only got 98% (there are only 50 questions so I couldn't get 99%). I got the same question wrong on both. But guess what? The Conservatives sent me two cheques for $40 each a few years later, I don't remember if there was a fee involved or if this was a refund for the exam, it was some time ago.

 

[AndyF]

No. Only honest applicants will apply anyway.

Interesting. So basically your saying to a guy who was determined to do it the legal way this time, and making an attempt to be honest, that he's a write off and he shouldn't try. This is my concern. What if it turns him to the black market.? Besides isn't the very fact he lays his intent on the table a sign he has reformed.? I see it has a positive. Don't forget, he doesn't have to do it this way.

You know about it, don't you think others do?

Sorry, I don't understand. Know about what?

Andy:smile:

 

[AndyF]

People with mental health issues and such will also be refused.

Not a problem. Only that if one of the processes down stream is a screening, then it should either offer the screening first, THEN, have the people do the safety exam and test. This way they save 125.00 because they failed the screening regardless of disqualification type.

By refusing to be sensitive to these people, we are in effect rubbing this snub in their faces to the tune of 125.00; people who now have a real reason to be angry at an injustice.

Andy

 

[AndyF]

If the government takes your money, it will keep your money.

Sure. The upshot is now the guy knows how to be safe with his UZI, AK47 and rocket launcher he got on the black market. :confused2:

Andy

 

[bobnoorduyn]

By refusing to be sensitive to these people, we are in effect rubbing this snub in their faces to the tune of 125.00; people who now have a real reason to be angry at an injustice.

Andy

Well, if it was simply the government keeping their money unjustly there would be about 15,000,000 people really angry in this country. Every left wing government, (and some right wing ones to a lesser extent) comes up with a new way to do it each spring at budget time.

 

[AndyF]

I did mine about the same time, when I aquired an new .45

How do you like it?

I found them awesome. I had one in the service (US 1963). Trouble is the ones in the service are used too bad as they are used for army issue and some have even seen WW2, and the slides got a bit shakey. I finally got mine exchanged for a new one from quartermaster, then I asked him if I could have it chromed! He gave me a sinister, "get outa here soldier" look and I did. Hey, what's wrong with wanting to one-up Patton.!

I recall I rated 300 points on the target even considering the low effective range. Good eyesight at 18 years old. But I liked the feel and the kick isn't that bad for that calibre, even smooth.

Andy

 

[AndyF]

Well, if it was simply the government keeping their money

That's for sure.

 

[Nuggler]

Cost me $60.00 to buy an "instruction manual", then sit down and write the test (challenge).........Got 100 % on written, and 96 % on practical.

Told the guy I had to walk around the fence after sliding the gun under (and pointing away).........gimme a break, my fence climbin days is over.

Lost some marks cause I didn't look down the barrel after picking up the gun on the other side. My original instructor (way back when) would be rollin in his grave to see anyone look down a barrel. Really the only *quick* way to ensure a pump action gun barrel is free of obstructions. Gives me the willies though.8O

 

[DaSleeper]

Cost me $60.00 to buy an "instruction manual", then sit down and write the test (challenge).........Got 100 % on written, and 96 % on practical.

Told the guy I had to walk around the fence after sliding the gun under (and pointing away).........gimme a break, my fence climbin days is over.

Lost some marks cause I didn't look down the barrel after picking up the gun on the other side. My original instructor (way back when) would be rollin in his grave to see anyone look down a barrel. Really the only *quick* way to ensure a pump action gun barrel is free of obstructions. Gives me the willies though.8O

:lol:
I showed that instructor a little trick.....the same one I showed the OPP that gave me the quick renewal test for wilderness handgun permit using his service automatic.......
After I opened the breech, I dropped the pencil I was using for the test in the barrel and if it goes down all the way....there can be no bullets there.....I hate looking down the barrel too.....:lol:
Only after do I feel safe lookin into the barrel for obstructions...