RPAL: Fact or Fiction? Part 1
Many of you reading this know you want the RPAL (or “restricted licence”), the upgraded version of the PAL which allows you to possess and acquire certain pistols and semi-automatic firearms.
We also know some of you come to us looking to get into hunting, meaning you don’t really need an RPAL, because you’re going to focus on Non-restricted firearms. Cool, carry on.
But there’s another group.
A group who are “on the fence”.
Maybe you’re tempted, but you’ve picked up a few ideas about what having an RPAL means. Some of those ideas are probably right, but maybe some of them are misconceptions.
Over the course of the next few weeks we’re going to find out which is which in our mini-series of posts….
(drum roll please…)
RPAL: FACT OR FICTION?
Let’s begin!
#1. It’s too hard to store restricted firearms.
Up this week and starting us off is a classic idea we hear all the time. It’s just too hard to store the restricted firearms! Is this true?
The Non-restricted course for your PAL runs you through a number of permutations of storing non-restricted firearms. Admittedly It all gets confusing. Maybe you have the idea that an RPAL makes it more confusing. If that’s you, we humbly suggest it might actually be clearer what you need to do with restricted firearms.
Let’s figure it out by looking at broadly what is required of us. Here’s what we need to do to store Restricted firearm properly:
Unloaded
Triggerlocked
Locked in a secure container, safe, case, or room (ex. behind a locked door)
It sounds a lot like best-practice for storing any firearm, in our opinion. Remember the law is the minimum standard. Minimum.
You might want to exceed the law.
We’re sure you agree you don’t want prying eyes or idle hands on your firearms. You definitely want your guns locked up tight.
Sure, you could use soft cases for your non-restricted collection… we personally prefer all our cases hard and nearly impenetrable anyway… because they’re more secure.
Should you store your Non-restricted firearm loaded? No. Should you store it without a trigger lock? Absolutely not. Sounds pretty similar.
Functionally, you’re going to store both categories of firearms in pretty much the same way.
If you had Restricted firearms in your possession you’re most likely going to get used to storing everything with that level of vigilance – the level of prudence you should be bringing to storing firearms anyway.
Naturally there are good reasons Non-restricted firearms can be stored with a little more flexibility. The NR gang is going places where flexibility is required, like into the woods for hunting, or readily accessible on the farm for predator defence. The Restricted gang isn’t going those places and so the storage requirements feel a little “longer term”.
Back to our question. Is it too hard to store restricted firearms? So hard that you’d want to avoid the licence altogether? Nah. That’s…
FICTION
Next time we’ll tackle another idea about RPAL. No spoilers. It’ll be worth the wait!
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When to take your Restricted course?
We know not everyone needs or wants one, and that’s okay. If you’re at all tempted, you’re probably going to want it - so book it in advance (if you’re worried you might want to cancel it leave it 5 or more days after your PAL course).
Book the 30-Day Upgrade to RPAL (CRFSC) within the 29 days after your Obtain My PAL (CFSC). This is the shortened format of the course you can only take during that first month after your PAL course, and it’s the least expensive. Get it locked in, set it and forget it - this is the course that’s the best value for you!
If you missed your 30-Day window or already have your PAL, the boat with the shortened course on board has permanently left the dock due to regulations, but you can always take a Standalone Upgrade to RPAL (CRFSC). It’s a bit longer but it’s still a bit shorter than a PAL course.
