David,
Completion of a course approved by the DPS is a statutory requirement to be issued a PP.
So you won't get any help form the Board of Firearms Permit Examiners. What many of us are trying to get people to do is only to submit what is required by law. Like you said, no, letters of reference, credit checks, conversations with neighbors, etc.
But the class is IN THE STATUTE. There are only 2 courses that I know of that are approved by the DPS. One is NRA Basic Pistol and the other is the one created by, but not currently being taught, by Ed Peruta.
So before you waste a year of your life, only to have your appeal denied by the BFPE, I'd suggest you submit an application that complies with the requirements of the statute and nothing more. Simply saying that the 2A is all the pistol permit you need is a sure path to a dismissal or a felony charge if you carry without a permit.
Don
p.s. Also. Its not a CCW in CT. Its a gun. It can be carried concealed or openly. There is not CCW permit in CT. Its a pistol permit or more correctly a Permit to carry Pistols and Revolvers. The word CONCEALED does not appear anywhere in any CT law or regulation.