November 9, 1999
Tony Heemskerk
Chief Firearms Officer of BC
PO Box 9217, Stn Prov Govt
Victoria, BC V8W 9J1
Dear Mr. Heemskerk,
On July 28th 1999 I sent my PAL application to the Canadian Firearms Center in Miramichi. They received it shortly thereafter.
On September 21st 1999 I called the CFC offices to find out what was happening with my application. According to the woman I talked to, my application had no errors and was forwarded to the BC CFO on August 19th, 1999. The CFC official was also kind enough to connect me directly to the BC CFO's office. The gentleman I talked to at BC CFO confirmed that my application had indeed arrived and that there is currently a 3-4 month delay. The large number of applications received and low staff levels were the reasons cited for the delay. He also mentioned new staff were being hired to clear the backlog, and that wait times should soon drop.
I understand there is a 30 day waiting period before the application is processed. With that delay in mind I applied in late July, as I intended to purchase a new hunting rifle for this fall's deer hunting season. According to the information I was given by the CFC and BC CFO that obviously is not going to happen, as my PAL will not arrive until after hunting season has ended. This is, to say the least, very disappointing. While the government insists that the new Firearms Act (Bill C-68) will not inconvenience hunters, I find it hard to believe that they do not consider my projected six-month wait to be an inconvenience.
Is there anything you can do to speed up my application? Is there anything you can suggest for me to do that will help speed up this process?
The time period from when I sent in my application until the time I am told I can expect to receive my PAL will be 6 months. My cheque for $80 was deposited and cleared my bank account on August 5th, 1999. While I have to wait 6 months or more, it is interesting to note that the government wasted no time in cashing my cheque.
Sincerely,
Christopher di Armani
cc: BCWF, Gerry Breitkreuz, MP, Anne McLellan - Minister of Justice,
MP Hedy Fry, MLA Gordon Campbell