PAL on hold with RCMP since May

[Kevin]

Back in May my son applied to have his expired PAL renewed.  On the application it asks if you have ever had a peace bond filed against you.  These peace bonds are a dime a dozen out there and are not something that will ever appear on any criminal record, since no crime has taken place.  My son had a peace bond filed against him in 2011,  Someone was pissed that my son ended up with his girlfriend.  Insults via text messages were sent and the old boyfriend filed a peace bond on my son.  Since it does not appear on a criminal record in anyway we decided not to spend the money and time on such a silly argument in court.  Well today we have a hold up on the PAL application here in NL because of a peace bond filled 4 1/2 years ago.  So this year we got a moose tag and filed for the PAL way back in May thinking that 120 days should be plenty of time for the RCMP to settle the matter.  They estimate 45 days on their web site.  We called them up the other day and apparently it is sitting on the desk and there was no promise that it would be dealt with before the end of moose season. 

Any suggestions? 

[Peter Emberley]

Contact a conservative member of Parliament or Prime minister'so office. They should figure it out fast. In the meanwhile hunt away. Your never asked for the card anyway. If your with him he can use the firearm anyway.

[Peter Emberley]

33. Subject to section 34, a person may lend a firearm only if

(a) the person

(i) has reasonable grounds to believe that the borrower holds a licence authorizing the borrower to possess that kind of firearm, and

(ii) in the case of a prohibited firearm or a restricted firearm, lends the registration certificate for it to the borrower; or

(b) the borrower uses the firearm under the direct and immediate supervision of the person in the same manner in which the person may lawfully use it.

[Kevin]

Thanks.... going to check up on this idea. 

[Dave Rawson]

Quite a few of the hunters I know have no firearms licence. It does not stop them from applying for and receiving moose tags. And they will go out and bag their moose. Or ducks or rabbits or coyotes or whatever. Is this right? No, the government gives out tags to unlicenced firearms owners to legally shoot moose with an illegally possessed firearm. If officers ever started charging these guys for this offence, the government should also be charged with aiding and abetting a criminal, but don't  ever think it will happen. I say let your son go bag his moose, and best of luck to him on a successful hunt.

[Kevin]

Talked to wildlife officer who said this was correct.  My son who has an expired PAL, (and has one coming in the mail) may hunt with me as long as I am not more than arms length away.  Meaning I can't stand on a hill with my radio and binoculars and direct him on where to go, I have to be with him. 

My son has been 6 months waiting for his PAL to arrive. 

[Peter Emberley]

Terrible service.

[Kevin]

We are now almost 7 months waiting.  What the hell is that all about.  The head office says there are no issues with the application... it's the NL RCMP that are holding things up.  I think they just plan to wait until the hunting season is over. 

[Peter Emberley]

Put in a complaint. This is absolutely bull.

[Dave Rawson]

You should call the RCMP and ask to speak with the officer in charge of firearms licencing. It is possible that the application has been misplaced. Just try to keep calm and polite with them, even though they don't  deserve it.  Good luck.

[Kevin]

We did call every month and were very polite about it all as were they.  They confirmed that they had it just were not able to get around to it.   ??????

[Kevin]

Well my son's PAL just arrived.  4 days after the moose season is over.  I think there are a few animal rights people at the firearms office. They waited until the season was over before they sent it.  We waited over 8 months for the license to come in.  What a waste.

[Peter Emberley]

Terrible, I would place a formal complaint.