My visit to the Ft. Walton Regional Office of the Division of Licensing on 01/20

Mr. Matthews runs a very efficient office over there, and he and his staff should be commended for their professionalism and their beyond-expected customer service. Glad you had a good experience, Wizard509! Congratulations! Now the countdown begins.
Beers Hoss,
Ken

Wizard509 said:

I visited the Ft. Walton Regional Office today and was most impressed by the manner in which things were handled.

My appointment was scheduled for 1:30. I arrived a few minutes after 1:00 and fully expected to wait for at least a half hour. Instead, I walked out of the door at 1:31 with the application process having been completed.

I dealt with three of the four people I saw in the office. All three were competent, efficient, and personable.

I was told that they are processing 20-25 CWL applications per day and are now booked solid up through 02/07.

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agreed. i had a very similar experience in the same office. the only difference, i didn't know an appointment was needed. i walked in, the lady said that i must have an appointment; they didn't take walk-ins. i asked to set up one then. she then said wait, hang on. she walked away for a few seconds and said it's your lucky day. we don't have an appointment till later on. i was in and out the door in 14 minutes. very impressed with the process and the people. my permit showed up in the mail in about 14 days.

When I got my permit in June, had to wait 2 weeks for an appointment around lunch time. My wife went in September, two days to get her appointment. My permit came in the mail 1 week and a day later, she got her one day less than a week. That FWB office experience was very good for both of us - highly recommend anyone getting their permit to go do it in person and save themselves a lot of time waiting by th emailbox.

+1 on FWB office. I went in, half expecting some attitude for applying for a license. I couldn't have been treated more respectfully or professionally. The staff were all great. In and out in record time, seen at scheduled time and handled in a very professional manner.

Went to Fort Walton Beach office and WOW! Very proffesional and friendly atmosphere. The staff seems to enjoy their jobs. Not used to being treated as a valued customer by a government entity.

You men and ladies are the best!

Had the same experience several months ago. Walked in at my appointment time, was out in less than 15 minutes...... left on a business trip, and my permit was waiting for me before I returned.

As discussed here, very professional, friendly, and "customer" oriented. Thumbs up to all of them there!!

Can't say anything about other license offices but the one at Ft Walton is great. There was a group of cohorts that took a gun show course, then mailed their stuff in the middle of January. Being I was former LEO, I just copied my FDLE certificate and made an appointment a week out at the Ft Walton office. Went over on Jan 13 and geesh was it easy. Eight days later I had the license in my hand. BTY, those that mailed theirs in before me, are still waiting. Two was kicked back due to the fingerprints having a problem being read.
Was telling a neighbor that works at Bass Pro about the experience and he said that they tell folks all the time to use the state license office. Hard to believe that state workers could have such a good attitude.

I've heard nothing but good things about the FWB office. I sent my parents over there last year and was very surprised when they got their license in two weeks. When I got mine eight years ago it took six weeks!

Just some info. The wife and a friend just took their gun class yesterday, called Ft Walton and the first opening they had was March 28. I called in some favors and got them in the Tallahasse license office for Feb 28. So it appears that folks are learning to use the license offices more and the self mail in's less.

I too took the appointment route awhile back in Punta Gorda and it was an awesome expeirence, so much as I had to write Commissioner Bronson, (back then) and let him know how much I enjoyed my appointment and how wondwerful his staff is amongst other things I wrote too. I know they get copies of letters sent in about them and hope mine made there day.