Dave Jenkins -AKA DFJ- Instructor

09/22/2026

PA CCW License- Check!

Just got back from a quick road trip to renew/reapply for my PA Carry license. If you don't have yours, here's how you can do it.

I looked up Erie County (PA, not NY) and found that I could fill out the application and submit everything online. The only wrinkle is that you have to go pick it up in person.

The application was a couple pages of personal details and history, plus the usual 'are you a prohibited person' yes or no answers. Had to include an image of my NYS Drivers License and my Carry License. NOTE: they will not issue to non residents who do not have a carry permit.

I filed the application on Friday and got the approval on Monday AM. I figured today was a good day to make the 2.5hr run over and grab it, so I did.

You cannot go get your license until after you receive the approval. Then, you'll have 30 days to go and get it.

Things you should know:
Parking by the Erie County Courthouse is metered and scarce. I found a parking garage about 3 blocks away and it was $4 for the approximately 30 minutes total.

Entering the courthouse:
Leave everything you do not need locked in your vehicle if possible. You'll be going through a metal detector and you'll be wanded. They prohibit cell phone use in the building so if you do bring your phone in, they'll have you secure it in a faraday type bag and you'll have to carry it around while you're there.

You'll head to the left after the search area, take a right and walk down a long hallway. At the end, you'll go left and (if it is working) take the elevator to the 4th floor. if not, you have 8 flights to get some exercise on.

At the 4th floor, you'll see the signs for the carry permit office. Check in there, they'll hand you a printout of your application and send you over to the deputy who will take your picture, print out the license, laminate it, and send you on your way. They'll also tell you that about 60 days prior to your 5 year expiration, you'll want to get your renewal done.

That's it. Done.

$26.13 paid online and a 5hr round trip for me, and I'm back to being OK in PA!

Go get yours!

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09/15/2026

Remember this phrase:

You don't practice the drill, you practice the SKILLS to become better at the drill. The skills are the work, the drill is the test of your work.

So, I have been working dry and live fire skills to get better at the USCCA's Defensive Pistol Skills Test. In my live fire, I have been working various segments of the test and other diagnostic drills to iron out where I feel the wrinkles are. Between self coaching, video, and observers, I have been seeing some improvement.

Even the small tweaks can make some good changes. Fix 3 or 4 small things, and you have a better and more efficient skillset.

Prior to the National Conference, my average time was 22 to 24 seconds. At the Conference, I logged a 21.81 but has 4 just outside the scoring zones, so my time ended up being 25.81.

Yesterday, I got to the range and ran some draw to first shot, reloading, and trigger speed drills. Then, I tested to see what may have changed. The results:

23.54
20.1
19.11
19.80
19.32
17.69 (with a miss) =18.69

I'll admit, that the last one was one of those "Go for it- see what happens" runs and I got a miss outside the head circle. In a couple of the other runs, I had some linebreakers - but I kept them!

After each run, I stopped and made mental notes of where I felt it could be better and then I tried to push just a little more each time. Then, I just kept edging forward and pushing.

Now, my personal goal is to be under 20 cold or with little warmup. That means I have to just keep working.

Dry fire every day.
Live fire as much as possible.

Get better because someone else is already better than you. Catch
up!

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09/09/2026

The group photo from the very first USCCA National Instructor Conference!

09/08/2026

Come on......a lot of you have gotten an invite to follow this page. Confirm it and we can have more fun!

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09/05/2026

Until next time Delta Defense and USCCA

09/05/2026

Spent the last three days at the USCCA National Instructor Conference. Its was GREAT.

They had us all shoot the Defensive Pistol Shooting Skills Test.

Out of 60 shooters, I managed to win the First Place award!

Thank to all the staff and people who made the conference happen!

09/05/2026

I'm privileged to have been at the very first USCCA National Instructor Conference AND to have won the First Place award in the live fire shooting skills test!

Its a great Skills test that will challenge you a bit, but it IS doable.

My good friend Randy Watt was right on my ass and he got Second Place. It could easily have been the other way around as Randy is a damn good shooter, hell of an instructor, and a solid guy. . I am honored to have been introduced to him a number of years ago by another great friend and mentor, Dave Spaulding.

That guy knows how to connect people!

Now. Time to rest. Its been a long 3 days of seminars and training!

09/05/2026

Day 3. The last day of the National Instructor Conference is complete.

Today, we did 3 more blocks of 'teasers' of the following topics:
Skills test
Movement and pivoting
Using and shooting around cover
Close up Handgun Skills

We were the group that got to shoot the Defensive Pistol Shooting Skills Test first. Nearly cold. (We got a 5rd warmup!)

Today was a good wrap up of the whole Conference.
60 attendees
Special thanks to this crew:
Dean Hendricks
Mike Seeklander
Sean Alaczar
Steve Washington
Justin Peters
Phillip Bartolacci
Jenny Cruz
Travis Frazier
Steve Fisher
Gavin Glasenapp
Dan Moralez
Klint Macro
Maxx Budiac

The Delta Defense staff
And a lot of others who did a ton of behind the scenes work.

In the end, they all put together a jam packed, informative, and worthwhile 3 days.

In related news, I got the First Place ranking in the Shooting Skills Test! Not too bad!
BUT
My good friend Randy Watt was hot on my heels for 2nd!

And...right behind Randy, was John Pemberton in 3rd! Way to go John!!!

Funny thing: John and I first met a number of years ago in the Rangemaster Instructor course in Xenia, Ohio. He is a solid dude!

We all did good!!!

It does appear that there will be another one next year but nothing is set just yet. This one got off to a great start and set the bar pretty high.

In the end, I came away with some more info about future plans, some more Instructor Development ideas, and a great view of what's to come from the USCCA and Delta Defense.

Stay tuned!!