how long to get your RPAL?

[nube]

Ive been waiting over a month now and my references have not even been called. Kinda ticks me off

[Kurt505]

I think mine took about 3 months.

[morinj]

6 weeks to infinity!!! Met several guys who took over 18 months, it probably won't that long for you, if you already have your PAL, and you can always contact a CFO!

[Slicktricker]

A month and your already whining lol mine took 3 months

[PartTimeHunter]

Off the start isn't there some kind of 28 day or so waiting period? Then they have to contact your references. Call the CFO to find out the status of your application. If there are questions they may just sit on it. I called this past winter when I got mine and was told that it was in the interview stage, was given a file and phone number and told to have one of my references call in to speed the process up. Then there was another issue where my app was flagged and just sitting on someone's desk. A two minute conversation cleared that up and my licence was issued - in total was about seven weeks.

[Deasoninc]

Once the paper work is received they don't look at it for 45 days. Then all the other stuff starts , interviews and check etc. I just renewed mine , sent it April 16th , just got my card last week. So be patent , if everything is in order it will come ......... eventually. Just a hint I got from the CFO , email proof of your range membership and they will do your ATT at the same time. I did that and I received it with my card. Also take a look at the link here if you haven't already and you can 'follow' the status of your application. cmp.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/index-eng.htm

I wish I had better news for ya , they are slow lol .

[Ronji]

My current expired on April 6. I reapplied on February 1. Still waiting for it.

[birdseye]

my son and his friend did the course same day and his friend called every week to ask about the status on his application and he recieved it 2 weeks early then my son and it was about 10 weeks for him and right around 12 weeks for my son,the squeaky wheel gets the oil first lol:)

[Scott N]

Mine took exactly 45 days from when I mailed it in until I received it back in the mail. That was before they started calling references all the time.

[nube]

I have been looking for a number to call but there are a bunch of numbers. Anyone know which is right?

[Norwest Alta]

Can't remember how long for my rpal but I don't think it was very long at all. Just renewed it a couple of months and it took 10 business days. Bought a pistol yesterday transfer is supposed to be completed today. I haven't checked my email yet.

[Dick284]

I have been looking for a number to call but there are a bunch of numbers. Anyone know which is right?

1-800-731-4000

It's a restricted, expect nearly 50-60 days till it even has eyes on it.

[kostianych]

Call them. 1-800-731-4000

They might be waiting for some additional/missing papers from you. Don`t tell me that you have included ALL of the required pieces....you might do it on your end, but there is another end ;)

Just call and figure out....you might be surprised.

[The_Gun_Boy]

Waited about 2 months and called them, 7 days later and got it in the mail.

[nube]

Thanks guys I had a different number but got through. Basically she said they just looked at my file today. Then said it will be up till 2 weeks to call my references. I told her nicely that this was rediculous so I imagine I will have to wait another 6 months.....
She said I could have it sped up if I get my references to call them. I said no thanks I am not going to bother my friends to do the work that they should be doing.
I can't believe they are so under staffed that licensing takes this long in this country

[jpohlic]

Did my renewal online on April 6, got a letter dated May 31 asking for confirmation of my range membership. Faxed that in the middle of June. Just checked the website and my license has been issued...must be in the mail somewhere.

[double gun]

Thanks guys I had a different number but got through. Basically she said they just looked at my file today. Then said it will be up till 2 weeks to call my references. I told her nicely that this was rediculous so I imagine I will have to wait another 6 months.....
She said I could have it sped up if I get my references to call them. I said no thanks I am not going to bother my friends to do the work that they should be doing.
I can't believe they are so under staffed that licensing takes this long in this country

Wise. Insult the ones who control how long it takes or if they will even approve your application. :party0051:

[brendan's dad]

Thanks guys I had a different number but got through. Basically she said they just looked at my file today. Then said it will be up till 2 weeks to call my references. I told her nicely that this was rediculous so I imagine I will have to wait another 6 months.....
She said I could have it sped up if I get my references to call them. I said no thanks I am not going to bother my friends to do the work that they should be doing.
I can't believe they are so under staffed that licensing takes this long in this country

I don't think you want your license very badly. She gave you the option to make it more convenient for your references, as they are able to call in at a time that suits them best. This would also speed up your application process. It seems like you want a reason to complain as opposed to being part of the solution.

[Scott N]

Thanks guys I had a different number but got through. Basically she said they just looked at my file today. Then said it will be up till 2 weeks to call my references. I told her nicely that this was rediculous so I imagine I will have to wait another 6 months.....
She said I could have it sped up if I get my references to call them. I said no thanks I am not going to bother my friends to do the work that they should be doing.
I can't believe they are so under staffed that licensing takes this long in this country

Personally I would have taken them up on the offer to have your references call them. That seems to be the reason for long waits. I've heard that the RCMP often won't leave messages for the references, so they'll try again. Later of course.

[nube]

Insult them or not it will take the same time and they need a kick in the arse.
And my references do not need to put it on their list of things to do either.
When they call they will give them the 2 min. conversation they need to move along.
They said it would take up to 2 weeks. It's been over a month so what's 2 more weeks....
Just noticed they charged my credit card today so I guess that is coincidence or it actually helped.

[brendan's dad]

Just to put things into context, there is just under 4 million PAL holders in Canada. With a 5 year expiry, that equals 800,000 renewal a years. With a 200 day work year, that about 4000 renewals a day. This does not include new applications and revocations due to mental health and criminal activity. I am not sure on staffing numbers in New Brunswich, but they are definitely not lost for work.

[nube]

Nope they wouldn't be but they also charge you enough that each person can be paid a decent wage and more staff could be hired as to not break the bank especially when at times the lack of getting it done in a timely manner can make someone illegal for waiting this long. I had no idea it takes this long and if I was to renew my normal PAL a month in advance than the expire date I would be considered illegal with my guns in their safe. Not too fair to the public you are serving is it?
If they are that backlogged then make some changes or expect to get a few phone calls about the delays..

[CMichaud]

Did my renewal online on April 6, got a letter dated May 31 asking for confirmation of my range membership. Faxed that in the middle of June. Just checked the website and my license has been issued...must be in the mail somewhere.

I had posted up that I renewed my RPAL/NRPAL and it came in the mail within two weeks.

Honestly, I do not even remember them asking for my range membership on the online form:huh:

[rugatika]

Just to put things into context, there is just under 4 million PAL holders in Canada. With a 5 year expiry, that equals 800,000 renewal a years. With a 200 day work year, that about 4000 renewals a day. This does not include new applications and revocations due to mental health and criminal activity. I am not sure on staffing numbers in New Brunswich, but they are definitely not lost for work.

Good point...make the licenses good for life unless you get in trouble with the law. It's stupid to have to renew these licenses at all. Concentrate on the initial issuances.

[brendan's dad]

Nope they wouldn't be but they also charge you enough that each person can be paid a decent wage and more staff could be hired as to not break the bank especially when at times the lack of getting it done in a timely manner can make someone illegal for waiting this long. I had no idea it takes this long and if I was to renew my normal PAL a month in advance than the expire date I would be considered illegal with my guns in their safe. Not too fair to the public you are serving is it?
If they are that backlogged then make some changes or expect to get a few phone calls about the delays..

What is the going rate for a new PAL or renewal?

[CMichaud]

What is the going rate for a new PAL or renewal?

Renewal was $80 for R/NR. Good for 5 years

[Scott N]

The slow process is part of the slow process of discouraging firearms ownership.

[brendan's dad]

Renewal was $80 for R/NR. Good for 5 years

$80

Let see, $20-30 for admin and business costs. $50-60 left to pay the employee. That should buy you about 1 hour at a Firearms Officer's salary. Sure hope your references answer on the 1st call. Also applicants that require more work due to recent life events..... also only pay $80. So their renewal's probably take a lot longer than yours. Are sure that outragous fee is enough to hire additional staff?

[brendan's dad]

The slow process is part of the slow process of discouraging firearms ownership.

So the folks who's jobs depend on firearms ownership are secretly trying put themselves out of a job by delaying process and discouraging firearms ownership????... OK

[CMichaud]

$80

Let see, $20-30 for admin and business costs. $50-60 left to pay the employee. That should buy you about 1 hour at a Firearms Officer's salary. Sure hope your references answer on the 1st call. Also applicants that require more work due to recent life events..... also only pay $80. So their renewal's probably take a lot longer than yours. Are sure that outragous fee is enough to hire additional staff?

I was just answering the question re cost for renewal - suspect you are directing this at someone else and not asking my opinion on the cost/value....

[Waterfowler vmax]

I had mine in my hands in 32 days

[brendan's dad]

I was just answering the question re cost for renewal - suspect you are directing this at someone else and not asking my opinion on the cost/value....

Directed to the OP, but not in an effort to start a fight, just giving some rational for the delay. No one likes waiting, especially when you are paying for a service. But the delay is beyond the control of the persons answering the phones or even the FO's completing the files.

[Scott N]

So the folks who's jobs depend on firearms ownership are secretly trying put themselves out of a job by delaying process and discouraging firearms ownership????... OK

Why can you get a passport in a matter of weeks, if not days, but for some it can take 6 plus months to get a firearms license? You don't think that paperwork is part of the master plan?

[sns2]

Thanks guys I had a different number but got through. Basically she said they just looked at my file today. Then said it will be up till 2 weeks to call my references. I told her nicely that this was rediculous so I imagine I will have to wait another 6 months.....
She said I could have it sped up if I get my references to call them. I said no thanks I am not going to bother my friends to do the work that they should be doing.
I can't believe they are so under staffed that licensing takes this long in this country

If she was having a bad day, your application may have just gone to the bottom of the pile on her desk. I hope not.

[LKILR]

Anyone who gets so angry and impatient waiting for their license maybe not fit mentally to own a firearm .😩😩

[brendan's dad]

Why can you get a passport in a matter of weeks, if not days, but for some it can take 6 plus months to get a firearms license? You don't think that paperwork is part of the master plan?

I for 1 am glad they put more time and effort into a firearms license vs a passport. Plus your passport is basically pre-approved and screen prior to being submitted.

I would rather give a violent or mentally unstable person the ability to travel vs owning a firearm.

[Scott N]

I for 1 am glad they put more time and effort into a firearms license vs a passport. Plus your passport is basically pre-approved and screen prior to being submitted.

I would rather give a violent or mentally unstable person the ability to travel vs owning a firearm.

You put more faith in the ability of a bureaucrat to judge someone's suitability to own firearms than I do.

[brendan's dad]

You put more faith in the ability of a bureaucrat to judge someone's suitability to own firearms than I do.

bu·reau·crat /ˈbyo͝orəˌkrat/

noun: bureaucrat; plural noun: bureaucrats
an official in a government department, in particular one perceived as being concerned with procedural correctness at the expense of people's needs.

In the case of approving or denying a firearm license, the process is designed to meet the needs of the people or in broader terms, the public.

In the Firearm Act there are 5 reason why a person can be denied a firearm's license. It is the job of the person screening the license to access these 5 areas based on the person history and reference interviews. If a person contravenes any one of the 5, then the license is denied.

So the procedure is not at the expense of the public, but rather for it's benefit. I am not sure that your use of the word "bureaucrat" is appropriate.

[couleefolk]

Less than 2 weeks when I did mine last year online. Wife did hers this spring, less than 11 days from online application to card in her hands.

[nube]

Well BD I am not sure about you but I think the paperwork for them wouldn't take very long to do. 5 min per reference per phone call.
Do you think it is reasonable to get 10 done in a day? I sure as heck hope so. That is $800 right there and I think that is conservative at being 10 per day and hope it would be more like 16 per day and a half hr a piece! I would say they are paying for themselves.
Like stated by another poster, a passport can be done in less time.
Also another fact is they are a 10 year passport not 5 like these gun licenses are. Maybe they should change the time like passports and double the fee if they want.

[Kurt505]

Well BD I am not sure about you but I think the paperwork for them wouldn't take very long to do. 5 min per reference per phone call.
Do you think it is reasonable to get 10 done in a day? I sure as heck hope so. That is $800 right there and I think that is conservative at being 10 per day and hope it would be more like 16 per day and a half hr a piece! I would say they are paying for themselves.
Like stated by another poster, a passport can be done in less time.
Also another fact is they are a 10 year passport not 5 like these gun licenses are. Maybe they should change the time like passports and double the fee if they want.

It's not about how many they can get done in a day, it's about how many they'll do in a day. I know how much I can get done in a day and it takes my guys 3 days to do it, I'm sure the government is any different.

I have to say you're not doing yourself any favours by telling them off and not taking their advice though. You had a good opportunity to speed it up but you're choosing not to...... It wouldn't have been the way I handled it, but if you're in no hurry I guess it doesn't matter.

[brendan's dad]

I can not comment on the time required for each file because I have no idea on the paper work involved. I am sure some are very quick and straight forward and other and very time consuming. But regardless whether a license is denied or granted, quick or slow, the process must be completed for liability sake alone.

Increasing the license time frame could alleviate some of the backlog, but the problem is that mental health rarely creates a police file that would be automatically forwarded to the CFO. So unless the person self identifies or family/friend contacts the CFO with concerns, these person fall through the crack. A lot can change in person's life and mental health in a 5 year period. The renewal forces the CFP to ensure nothing has occurred that would disqualify a person from possessing a license.

[smokedstew]

Initially my pal took roughly 2.5 months later my rpal took a little over a month I believe.. prohib took a lot longer 6 months by the time all hoops and such were jumped through.

[nube]

Well , here is the rest of the story. Finally got my card today. They called only one reference was all from the 2 I gave them... Basically 2 months...
One other guy I know was the same time frame as well. Pretty Sad it takes that long

[Twisted Canuck]

Congrats! What are you getting first? I've probably got a dozen or two you'd like, PM me!:)

[nube]

I got no idea. Probably something for bear protection like a .40 and a 22.

[Kurt505]

I picked up a S&W M&P 40 cal, it's a nice enough gun, but I've always wanted a Ruger GP100 357mag.

[nube]

Probably best if I go and shoot a bunch and see what feels best

[700-223]

Well , here is the rest of the story. Finally got my card today. They called only one reference was all from the 2 I gave them... Basically 2 months...
One other guy I know was the same time frame as well. Pretty Sad it takes that long

Took 5 mos for my RPAL renewal and arrived less than a week before it expired even though I called 3 times. None of my references were called AFAIK. The last time I called was a little over a week before it expired to ask if I needed to transfer my firearms to my wife to avoid being at risk of confiscation and imprisonment... the answer was no, as long as my application was pending I should be good.

Over time, I have been less and less convinced that our firearms system serves the public good at all. Sure is expensive though so that's good! :angry3: Seriously though, I believe it carries far more legal jeopardy/deterrence to owning firearms for the law-abiding than it does to people with a criminal record who cannot legally possess firearms or ammunition or to those who commit violent crimes.

[GrizzlyBeard]

I submitted my first time application in February. Waited 45 days to call the 1-800 number. I was careful to keep a kind tone with them, always asking if there was anything I could help with to keep things moving along. Often I was told just to wait. I had my references call in the moment they gave me the chance. It took about 3 months to get it to the CFO's office. Called the CFO's office each month offering help, also met with "just wait". After 6 months of waiting I was fed up. No information on where it was at or what I could do to help. Finally I called the CFO's office with a slightly different tone. I said something along the lines of, "It's been 6 months of waiting with no information, and I'm calling to get it sorted out TODAY." I was still polite (these people are only trying to do their jobs) but firm. I was told it was in secondary review and it would be looked at shortly. It was then approved that day.

They say the squeaky wheel gets the grease, and in this case it appears to be true.

There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason as to the time limits of applications, if you want to see some timelines of other people there is a thread on canadian gun nuts of people posting about their application timelines.

It can be very frustrating waiting for months on end with no information, especially when they say it should only take 45 days. The key is to be patient, firm with your phone calls, and to remember that government beaurocracy is a reality.

I wish you much luck and resolve OP, as your journey may be far from over.

-GrizzlyBeard

[tallieho]

Ive been waiting over a month now and my references have not even been called. Kinda ticks me off I waited 12 weeks exactly the length of time that they said it would take to process the appl.I believe it is on your copy of your application 12weeks

[West O'5]

Just to put things into context, there is just under 4 million PAL holders in Canada. With a 5 year expiry, that equals 800,000 renewal a years. With a 200 day work year, that about 4000 renewals a day. This does not include new applications and revocations due to mental health and criminal activity. I am not sure on staffing numbers in New Brunswich, but they are definitely not lost for work.
Where do you get this figure of 4 million+?
The most recent claims Ive seen made by CCFR says there are a little mire than 2 million PAL holders in Canada?

The slow process is part of the slow process of discouraging firearms ownership.
yup.....the less people willing to jump through the hoops,the more it fits the agenda.

A lot can change in person's life and mental health in a 5 year period. The renewal forces the CFP to ensure nothing has occurred that would disqualify a person from possessing a license.[/QUOTE]
PAL/RPAL holders are already screened and vetted daily thru CPIC for continued eligibility to hold a firearms licence,tgeres no reason to require renewal every 5 years,it should be for life unless revoked for good cause,wether temporsrily or permanently......yet you seem to put your faith in the presumption that renewals will voluntarily disclose any life changes,mental health,significant relationships breakdowns etc to justify a 5year term??

Well , here is the rest of the story. Finally got my card today. They called only one reference was all from the 2 I gave them... Basically 2 months...
One other guy I know was the same time frame as well. Pretty Sad it takes that long
you should be thankful,2 months is well below the avg wait time as i understand it.

FWIW,a few years ago,I waited 5 months for my PAL (Jan-May) before i attempted to contact CFO....which took another 2 weeks of failed attempts to contact....finally spoke to live person @6months,and the excuse was tgey were unable to contact my wife....BS!!
We have voice mail and call display on home land line,same as her cell ph and office phone.
So i gave the CFO office lady wife's office # AGAIN and they contacted wife that afternoon,had my card in a week.
FYI they had never attempted to contact either of my other references.

[6MT]

Ive been waiting over a month now and my references have not even been called. Kinda ticks me off

Patience. There are a lot of staff in the CFO that are on holiday.

FWIW, mine took 35 days after the CFO received my application.

[Ronji]

My current expired on April 6. I reapplied on February 1. Still waiting for it.

Still waiting, the 2 phone calls I made were 3 hours that I will never get back.
Its a good thing that I certainly do not need any more rifles, and I have no reloading to do.

[Ryan Gazder]

Ive been waiting over a month now and my references have not even been called. Kinda ticks me off

Hi Guys...when i called in to check, the nice lady at the call center said that they may not even call my references.This is when i volunteered to have my references call them to save time.

Ive applied for my RPAL.

Any feedback on whether references are indeed called these days? Or do they just do a full police check etc and thats it?

[catnthehat]

Hi Guys...when i called in to check, the nice lady at the call center said that they may not even call my references.This is when i volunteered to have my references call them to save time.

Ive applied for my RPAL.

Any feedback on whether references are indeed called these days? Or do they just do a full police check etc and thats it?

Mine were called the last time
Cat

[mattthegorby]

My first time application took about three months when I completed my course last Nov. They never called my references for RPAL. Always very polite when I called. If I recall correctly, she said that the fall was usually busy with a backlog of people wanting to get it done for hunting season.