From an anonymous reader on August 13, 2002 (text within brackets
[ and ] are edits):
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I applied in person at the Clarion County Courthouse in Clarion PA.
The cost was $22.00; $19.00 for the application, $3.00 for the color
photo (taken there) which is attached to the back of the permit. Two
personal references, not related to me, were required. I spoke with
the county sheriff himself, as he happened to be in the office.

It was approved in a matter of two weeks or so, and I was called
(at my home in [another state]) and told it was ready for pickup.
I don't know whether or not they'd have sent it to me, as I didn't
ask. The permit is good for five years.

It was a very smooth process, with the officers involved being
courteous and helpful ... HOWEVER... I do not know how much the
following facts helped: 

(1) I grew up in Clarion. (2) Seventeen years ago I possessed a PA
resident CWP, and was at that time a PA State Constable.  (3) I own
land in Clarion County and do business there. (4) I hold a
[home state] CWP (the sheriff seemed familiar with the strictness of
[home state]'s requirements), and used the [home state's issuing
agency] as one of my references. (5) My second reference was the
owner of one of the town's larger businesses.

Numbers one and two did not come up during the application, but may
well have during the background check. Number three came up in the
course of the conversation with the county sheriff, but did not
seem to be a requirement.
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