Congrats. Use it wisely, it's a great responsibility.

I've had one for many years. Prior to that, just bought a Sportsmen's Permit each yearfor each revolver, "on" my hunting license. Sometime after I'd gone to the License To Carry, theychanged the way Sportsmen's Permits were issued, (now any pistol, good for 5 years). It occured to me that there wasn't much point in owning handguns, if I couldn't actually carry one for protection most of the time. So I obtained the LTC.

There was some action last year torequire thateach Sheriff adhere to the same set of criteria in issuing LTCs, but don't think it ever went anywhere. Our Sheriff treats each application as a new one, so there are no "renewals" once the license is due to expire. A minor point of semantics, because even if he called it a renewal, the same background check is required for the new permit.

He also requires a new photo for each license (I just have mine taken at the Sheriff's office), but also laminates the license for you. I've been told that some Sheriffs don't require a photo on the permit. I like having an extra photo ID, has come in handy a time or two.