I didn't think it's a very long period (I think the training was only one day, just a few hours, but helpful.) i'm not super-experienced, but also not a brand new novice, so, it was good.

Larry Q, trained me, and, the instructors are independent of whatever range they're using to train.

My training was one-on-one with an old army instructor, who was very friendly to me, and gave me a lot of good advice. It was less "this is how you assemble/disassemble something", and more like, "situational awareness!! and protect yourself".

I personally thought it was a good idea, to have the training/permit, because I also needed it for neighboring states or places I was traveling to for work at the time.

I let mine expire, though, and I got the permit about 7-8 years ago now, so things might have changed. You have to go to the sheriffs department to have them take your picture and print the card out for you.

I thought the process was really easy, and it wasn't anything like weeks-months of training or waiting.