Packing heat: Record-breaking number of concealed carry licenses

According to new statistics released by the Ohio Attorney General’s office, as many as 500,000 Ohioans have valid concealed carry licenses.

Last year the state issued 72,000 new licenses (see below), but 2016’s number of new licenses is eclipsing that figure.

In the first three months of this year, 36,118 new licenses were issued. If the current rate continues, over 90,000 additional Ohioans could have shiny new concealed carry licenses by the end of the year.

3/2/16: Ohio issues almost 72,000 new concealed carry licenses

Almost 72,000 new concealed carry licenses were issued in 2015, an increase from the 2014 numbers, according to data compiled by Ohio sheriffs.

That brings the total number of concealed carry licenses issued or renewed in 2015 to just over 116,000.

The total number of concealed carry licenses in Ohio is kept private, as the Attorney General’s office is only required to issue a report on the number of licenses renewed or issued in an given year. A concealed carry permit lasts five years.

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