License to Carry a Concealed Weapon

I've applied for my CCW License.  People say it's hard to get one in California but that's not true.  It all depends on where you live.  In my county, the sheriff encourages it.  Yes, I did type that correctly.  At one point the sheriff said that due to budget cuts their response time may be slow and their staff cut and the best way to protect yourself is to protect yourself. 

What does it take to get a license?  It's a long process but not a difficult one.  First you call the sheriff's department and tell them you are interested.  They send you a package in the mail that you have to fill out.  As soon as you fill it out (it took about 10 minutes) you call them back and make an appointment.  The appointment took four months. 

You show up to their office a few minutes early...if you are late you lose.  You have to start the process all over.  You meet with an investigator.  You hand over your paperwork and talk for about an hour.  You get finger printed. Then you wait. 

After about a month they send you a letter telling you that you are approved.  Then you have to pay about $250.  At that point to take a weapons course with one of their approved instructors.  After that you turn in the certificate and you will receive the permit. 

All in all it takes over half a year from start to finish. 

I'll go over the list of questions.
1. You have to provide your name, and any other name you've used (maiden names, married names), date of birth, place of birth, height, weight, etc.
2. Have you ever had a CCW permit or have you ever been denied one?
3.Have you renounced your citizenship, received anything other than honorable discharge if you served in the military, been party to a lawsuit, been under a restraining order, on probation or parole?
4. List your traffic violations and accidents in the past five years.
5. Ever been convicted of any criminal offense?
6. My favorite...Have you withheld any fact that might affect the decision to approve this license?
7. List the weapons you wish to carry under your CCW.

The interviewer has additional questions.
1. Ever been treated for mental illness or been found not-guilty by reason of insanity?
2. Addicted to drugs or alcohol?
3. Involved in a firearms accident or domestic violence incident?
4. List your arrests or formal charges.
5. Why do you want a CCW?

That's all there is to it.  I am waiting for approval, then have to take my class, then have to wait for approval.  I figure by February or March I should have my CCW.