Sorry I have a dumb question that has probably been answered 1000x.....

I have a long gun permit and was looking to get a hand gun permit and wanted to take the best and shortest route as possible.

Should I take the class first prior to obtaining a permit?

I figured I only have to stand in that line 3 times, apply for handgun permit (submit class cert at the same time), pickup permit, take hand gun back to register. Is that correct?

Can I apply for 2 hand gun permits at once?

You have to take a handgun safety course prior to getting a pistol permit. You should've just taken the pistol course and then gotten your long gun and hand gun permit to acquire at the same time. Now, you're looking at two extra trips to HPD - where the lines are crazy long.

I've had my long gun permit for a while now, probably should have got the hand gun permit before the crazy lines.... But I'll take the course shortly... Not in a rush to get a handgun but just wanted the shortest route....

Once you pick up the permit how many days do you have to take the gun in for registration since its gun specific?

5 days after purchase. .not buiness days...five days...
Ive seen guys come after 5 days, hpd will confiscate the hun, make the dealer pick it up.  The buyer has to start the process over again.

As I understand the process you must also already know before you even apply for the permit the exact model you will be getting the permit for including the serial number of the gun. So basically you need to decide on and buy the handgun before you even go get your permit.I have not gotten myself a handgun permit but at least thats how I understand the process works. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

1. Take Handgun class
2. Pay for handgun at wherever you decide to purchase your handgun
3. Go to HPD with receipt from the store (incl. serial no., make, model, etc.) AND Handgun class Affidavit
4. Fill out Handgun permit application and other forms at HPD
5. Wait two weeks of eternity
6. Go back to HPD and pick up handgun Permit (which is good ONLY for the handgun you already paid for)
7. Go back to the shop you paid for the handgun at and take custody of the handgun
8. Go back to HPD within 5 days? with the handgun, the permit and your handgun class affidavit
9. breathe sigh of relief

As I understand the process you must also already know before you even apply for the permit the exact model you will be getting the permit for including the serial number of the gun. So basically you need to decide on and buy the handgun before you even go get your permit.I have not gotten myself a handgun permit but at least thats how I understand the process works. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

You are right.  You need to know all the registration information.  Make, model, caliber, store, serial number.
Pretty much you buy the gun, or put a down payment, then ask HPD if your qualified to own it.
Wait the 14 days while they make up their mind and let you cool down in case you need to firearm to commit a crime.
Then they tell you ok, i guess you can have it.
You pick up the permit
Get your gun and show them the permit which says HPD says you can have it
Go back and stand in that long line again.
Repeat everytime you want a new one

once you go through all the hoops and get to the shop you can legally buy as many handguns and apply for as many handgun permits at any time. here comes the but. anytime you purchase 2 or more handguns the dealer has to fill out a multiple handgun purchase form which notifies our friends at the ATF of your purchases. not that it is illegal but you will be on their radar. not the radar you want to be on.  right now with all the gun sales going down the ATF will plenty to deal with but you never know. here is how stupid this procedure is. if you buy one handgun from one shop and 5 minutes later buy another one at another shop and apply for both permits the same day
no ATF notification. wtf. these are the kind of laws that are supposed to make us safer

Just in case I want to avoid being on the ATF watch list, would picking up the hand guns on different days make a difference? That way the dealer will have to complete the paper work 2 times. Just asking, not trying to avoid the legal process jut trying to make it a tad bit easier to stand in line at HPD.

Just in case I want to avoid being on the ATF watch list, would picking up the hand guns on different days make a difference? That way the dealer will have to complete the paper work 2 times. Just asking, not trying to avoid the legal process jut trying to make it a tad bit easier to stand in line at HPD.

The dealer will likely still put it as a multiple sale regardless when you pick up unless you can work it out with them but your just adding more work for them. If you buy one from one dealer and another one from another each dealer fills out a seperate individual sale. Then you can still apply for two permits in one visit to HPD. That's at least the way it was explained to me by a dealer. Who knows? If you are like many others and have purchased more than 1 firearm in the last month or so you may already be on that watch list already.

Just in case I want to avoid being on the ATF watch list, would picking up the hand guns on different days make a difference? That way the dealer will have to complete the paper work 2 times. Just asking, not trying to avoid the legal process jut trying to make it a tad bit easier to stand in line at HPD.

Either way you choose, I'll see you in line at HPD

 I'm going to wait a while or at least till all these guys finish registering there purchases over the last week.... Since no one has anything in stock the line should decrease and only permit people will be in line..... I hope if not I'll defininately see u in line..... Hahahahaha

Rifles is 5 days.

Pistols is 48 hours!

1. Take Handgun class
2. Pay for handgun at wherever you decide to purchase your handgun
3. Go to HPD with receipt from the store (incl. serial no., make, model, etc.) AND Handgun class Affidavit
4. Fill out Handgun permit application and other forms at HPD
5. Wait two weeks of eternity
6. Go back to HPD and pick up handgun Permit (which is good ONLY for the handgun you already paid for)
7. Go back to the shop you paid for the handgun at and take custody of the handgun
8. Go back to HPD within 5 days? with the handgun, the permit and your handgun class affidavit
9. breathe sigh of relief

+1 Very good  explanation.

I'm going to wait a while or at least till all these guys finish registering there purchases over the last week.... Since no one has anything in stock the line should decrease and only permit people will be in line..... I hope if not I'll defininately see u in line..... Hahahahaha

If your going to wait awhile before your purchase you should just take the DLNR hunters Ed class. The class is FREE and you can use the certificate As your handgun safety class. It saves you about $250 that you can apply to the purchase of your gun.