averagejoe wrote: ↑Mon Mar 24, 2025 9:32 am
That is how they try to sneakily deny and delay things for people. It is not a legal requirement, and last I heard it was not even on the list of things you are required to include on the paperwork. But they will hold up applications/renewals without letting you know until you send in the range membership. Lots of stories of people saying "I sent it in 6+ months ago and nothing has happened" and after being told to call in "They are waiting on my to send in my range membership, but nobody told me"
3 renewals ago, (15yrs?) my renewal application was sent in on January 2nd. The expiry was to be 22May. Getting close, I checked online and had been sent to the Provincial CFO 3 months prior. On the 22nd May(or so) I called and the CFO
actually answered the phone. I thought a steno answering the phone, so I asked to speak to the CFO. I was told the CFO is too busy to talk on the phone, so I told her to tell the CFO to get off his butt and send me my 12/6PAL, then hung up.
A week later, I was told that I was probably speaking to the CFO a female so I phoned back and she answered the phone. I apologized for my behavior & asked about my P.A.L. She informed me "we have to send you a letter of intent". I asked what that was and she said "we have no record of you belonging to a gun club and want to know what you INTEND to do with these handguns". I told her I'd been a member of R&G clubs in BC since transferred to Smithers from basic training in 1972
and that I was a member of the PG R&G club since 1979, president and past president and current Director. I then asked if a photocopy of my membership card would help. She said yes and gave her e-mail account. I complied and exactly 1 month AFTER my PAL had expired, I received my renewal,- 6 1/2 months AFTER I had applied for it. I now send in a photo of my current membership with each renewal. They not only take 3 1/2 to 4 months to achieve. I still renew early Jan. as if the renewal is not in your hand, you cannot be in possession of any firearm outside your house until the renewal arrives.
I mentioned all of this to a friend, a local retired S/Sgt and he said: "Daryl, they have been instructed to hold up applications & put every impediment between people and their applications". I can only assume, some of them do not comply with that order, while some do. This Province now has an anti-gun person helping the CFO in her office and they are starting to order closure of gun clubs in B.C. that are not complying with HER interpretation of the range requirements. Quesnel is one such club.
