Not so fast. That’s the advice being given to those anxious to attend a training course to qualify for the new Wisconsin permit to carry a concealed weapon (CCW) under a law that becomes effective November 1.

Senate Bill 93, which made Wisconsin the 49th state to allow law-abiding citizens to carry firearms for personal protection, was signed into law by Gov. Scott Walker in July. Under the measure, the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) was granted the authority to issue permits to state residents 21 and older who receive safety training and clear background checks.

The statewide interest in the new permits that followed the passage of the measure has already prompted many people to seek the training necessary to obtain authorization to legally carry as soon as the law is effective. Some gun clubs and certified firearms trainers are already offering combination classroom and hands-on training classes to prospective permit holders.

But authorities are cautioning Wisconsin residents not to enroll in a training course prematurely. That’s because the state DOJ has not yet approved the final parameters needed to qualify for certification.

This week, DOJ spokesperson David Zibolski said the agency is awaiting input from Gov. Walker’s office before the administrative rules for concealed carry qualification are completed. As a result, the training requirements necessary to qualify for a permit are still largely unknown, despite what some CCW trainers are telling their potential clients.

“A person who enrolls in training now, with companies who profess to have the right training for our state, may be shooting up their money for nothing,” Ian Nishimoto, associate dean for public safety at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College told the “Green Bay Press-Gazette” this week.

DOJ’s Zibolski affirmed that some portions of the training requirements have already been approved, such as allowing hunter safety training by presenting a certificate earned from the course, even if it occurred decades ago.

But many public safety professionals encourage those who wish to obtain a Wisconsin CCW permit to attend a specialized course covering extensive hands-on training in self protection techniques, as well as all facets of Wisconsin’s new law and its restrictions.

Final rules for the Wisconsin CCW permit are expected to be finalized and released to the public by mid-October, according to the DOJ.