Canadian Firearms Centre stinks!

borealboy · 11-29-2002, 04:05 PM

My FAC is running out and I am now applying for a PALS like a good citizen. However every time I phone the centres 800 number I'm told they are too busy to take my call and to try again later. I've tried 30 seconds after they open, all through the day and into the evening. I managed to download an application off the net however. They also don't answer emails. Does anyone know if a photo copy of my current FAC is sufficient proof that I passed the firearms safety course, for the purposes of the application? I've lost my original course certificate, or maybe was never given one...
My FAC runs out in mid January and I bet it will be a long time before I see a replacement card!

rbduck · 11-29-2002, 06:12 PM

I have the same problem getting ahold of anyone on the phone at the Firearms centre also. Check out my little problem I posted in "A Stolen Handgun" in this forum. Good luck getting your PAL.

Ron<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Deleted User · 11-29-2002, 06:42 PM

[Deleted by Admins]

Nicholal · 11-30-2002, 12:35 PM

Ian you get my mail?

Hunt for the sport, share the outdoors and most of all be safe and enjoy it......know your
back stop when shooting!!
http://www.hunting-pictures.com/members/nicholal

stubblejumper · 12-01-2002, 07:20 PM

You do not have to take the course over again.The fact that you have a valid license now proves you have shown competancy but with this screwed up system they may still want the completion certificate.Anyone that has a license running out should apply for a new one at least three months in advance and better yet six months in advance.The late registration applications are tying up the system as planned but the people that let their licenses get too close to expiry will be victims.

Cyrus · 12-01-2002, 07:21 PM

Do you have some kind of Hunter's safety Certificate? I was able to use the one I got in 1984.
You may be able to use that. It'll save you some money.

Duffy · 12-02-2002, 09:31 AM

I sent a photo copy of my FAC (which I had to have the firearms test in order to get, and I think I had to send the original certificate with it) with my PAL application.

Be sure to go over your application and be sure everything is filled in correctly. I missed checking a little tiny box (about the size of Allen Rocks brain) that indicated I had no previous spouse or common-law partner. They sent me a special form and a photo copy of my original appl. to fill out. I did so and mailed it to them befroe the ink was dry. Then I got a phone call telling me I had not sent them enough money.

340WBYMAG · 12-04-2002, 05:51 AM

Duffy,

I think your being generous about the size of Allan Rock's Brain.

But you are right about making sure the form is perfect before mailing it in. Both my uncle and brother had delays in getting their PAL's because of missed boxes.

340,

skeeter 7MM · 12-06-2002, 11:25 PM

If you have a valid FAC it is the same course. I believe it indicates on the new PAL form the requirements of a Valid FAC or proof you passed the Firearm Saftey Course. You should be able to get a copy of the certifacte of the FAc pass from the RCMP or Police, since that is most likely where or who adminstrated the test when you took it 5 years ago. Get in touch with them, they will hopefully be able to help you with what would be required...however a copy of your FAC should be suffice.

Yes make sure you fill it out complete, I waited 12 months to get mine only to find out it was due to my picture that was suspect. reason why it was older than 6 months...but yet nobody even bothered to inform me. Ended up getting it pushed through after weekly hounding. Then I was told it would take 4-6 weeks...but I demanded a quicker service I got it a week later. My buddy did the same thing from time send to PAL in hand it was 5 weeks. You just have to keep on them, they will tell you they put a note in the file the first few times, then you'll start to get somewhere.

Pure crap, they really make it hard to be honest do they!!!!

nubo · 12-08-2002, 07:41 PM

You are most likely going to have to either rewrite or to go to the RCMP to replace your application or test result in order to get it.
I have been waiting exactly 11 month's for mine to come ,I recieved a phone call from a firearm's officer telling me to be patient and I should recieve my PAL in the mail early in the new year.
This system is so screwed up that no-one will take any responsability
for answering any of your question's .
My friend sold some firearm's a week or so ago and he had all of the information he needed from the buyer and when he called the firearm's 1-800 number they refused to answer whether the PAL was valid saying that it was nun of his business {I would think it was his business since he was to sell his firearm's to him }Theyrefused to do anything unless the purchaser was on hand to answer thier question's,then they hung up and called an hour later to tell him that the PAL was valid and he could release the firearm's .
This took severel hour's to accomplish and severel hour's to get through the phone lines.