Quote Originally Posted by ahmonrah
either way, go to your local county courthouse NOW and put in for your CCW. that way by the time the B-DAY rolls forth, your permit is well into processing and maybe already in your wallet!!!!!
Excellent post and advice, except this part.

I'm not 100% certain, but from what I have read I think you have to be of age at the time of application. If so, putting it in before you turn 21 won't speed things up. I tried looking it up, but it wasn't 100% clear on that part. But from when I got mine years and years ago, I seem to remember they specifically asked for ID and proof of my age when I applied.