I thought I'd track the steps I am taking in obtaining my CCDW. Might be amusing if I don't make it! You may have other ideas, this is just a list of what I'm doing. Stay tuned to see if I succeed.
1. June 2009. Home burglarized between hours of noon and 6 pm.
2. Newark PD helps recover much, not all of what was stolen. (A good thing, as Martha would say)
3. I start thinking about what might have happened if spouse/kids were home during the burglary. Am glad they had gone to Dutch Wonderland for the day. I'm glad they were not home when the young men kicked in our sunroom door. I'm glad they were not home when the young men selected whatever they wanted from our home, wandering all over our house.
I decide on the need to get serious about home defense.
4. I start researching which gun to get. Settle on 9mm as I want something both I and the Mrs. would be happy with. Then, settle on glock, though there were other ones that would have been just as good, if not better. Change mind from Full size Glock 17 to a mid sized Glock 19 (more compact) based upon possible dual role of CC. Buy a Glock 19, Snap caps. Watch 1,000 you tube videos and gradually learn to field strip it.
5. I join the NRA. Look for the required CCDWclass. Try to get into target master, but full up to next month. Look around, find anther one. Take one on Sat, 8/29. Very happy with class. End up with certificate for Del. and one for FLA. The NRA basic pistol patch is a nice touch. Decide not to put the NRA patch on my work jacket lapel.
6. Email friends with request for reference letter. Most agree to do it on the spot. Find out one of them has held a CCDW for years (who knew?)
7. Pay Newark post $43 for necessary legal notice. (Verified with Prothonary's office this paper was OK for my zip code)
8. Schedule fingerprinting. (They were very pleasant and nice...good sign?) Closest appointment is in 2 weeks @ 8:30 am. Turns out they accept plastic, and since I never seem to have cash, this is good news. I tell them I'll also need a fingerprint card done at same time for my FLA app. They tell me I'll need $10 more. Not a problem. I'll have to go to troop 2, Bear.
9. Buy Ruger Mark III 22/45 for better half. Go to range to 'test' it.
10....I will add more as more happens, pretty far along, though.