Number of new concealed carry licenses drops compared to a year ago

May 16, 2014 at 12:00a.m.

COLUMBUS

The number of new licenses issued to carry concealed firearms dropped in the first three months of the year compared with the same period in 2013, according to statistics released by Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine.

But the number of license renewals during the first quarter increased from the year-earlier period.

For January, February and March, a total of 16,205 regular concealed-carry licenses were issued, along with 15,832 licenses renewed. Another 350 licenses were suspended, 111 were revoked and 262 were denied.

The results compared with first-quarter 2013 totals of 31,407 new licenses, 6,354 renewals, 283 suspensions, 64 revocations and 342 denials.

County sheriffs issued a record 145,000-plus concealed-carry licenses last year.

The attorney general’s office compiles quarterly and annual statistics on concealed-carry license holders.

Among area counties:

A total of 551 new licenses and 200 renewals were reported in Mahoning County, along with 11 license suspensions, four revocations and three denials.

A total of 325 new licenses and 370 renewals were reported in Trumbull County, along with 11 license suspensions and two revocations.

A total of 228 new licenses and 185 renewals were reported in Columbiana county, along with four license suspensions and one revocation.