First Posted: 3/1/2015
COLUMBUS (AP) — The number of concealed-carry licenses issued or renewed last year in Ohio marked the first decline in several years.
A state report issued this week showed 58,066 new licenses issued and 52,146 licenses renewed in 2014 for a total of 110,212. A total of 145,342 concealed carry licenses were issued or renewed in Ohio in 2013 for the largest number since licensing began in the state in 2004. The state issued 96,972 new licenses and 48,370 renewals in 2013.
Concealed-carry licenses expire five years after their issue date.
“The large number of license renewals reflects the significant number of licenses that were issued five years ago and were up for renewal last year,” DeWine said in releasing the report.
State law requires the attorney general to compile a report annually based on handgun permits issued by Ohio’s 88 county sheriffs. Each county sheriff reports concealed handgun license statistics quarterly to the state.
The overall drop last year came after years of steady increases in permits, peaking in 2013.
Franklin County reported the most permits issued and renewed in the state in 2014 with a total of 6,466. Lake County was second with 5,601, followed by Montgomery County with 5,056 and Hamilton County with 4,352.
More than 680,000 people have received new licenses or renewed existing ones since the state began issuing concealed-carry permits in 2004.