Ohio licenses for concealed weapons dropped in 2014

By Marc Kovac | February 28, 2015 at 12:03a.m.

COLUMBUS

The number of new licenses to carry concealed firearms dropped more than 40 percent last year, according to statistics released by the attorney general’s office.

But the number of renewals rose to a five-year high, meaning more than 110,000 Ohioans secured licenses in 2014 to carry concealed handguns.

“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,” Attorney General Mike DeWine said in a released statement. “We thank Ohio’s county sheriffs for their continued cooperation in providing this information about the use of Ohio’s concealed-carry law.”

State law requires the attorney general to track the number of permits issued, renewed, suspended, revoked and denied and compile the information in an annual report.

Copies are available online at www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov.

For 2014, 58,066 new licenses were issued, down from 96,972 in 2013 and 64,650 in 2012. More than 52,000 licenses were renewed during the 12-month period, up from 48,370 in 2013 and 12,160 in 2012.

DeWine’s office reported 1,412 suspensions last year, up from 1,154 in 2013 and 1,030 in 2012. The report notes that suspensions may have taken place in prior years, and “sheriffs are not required to report the details surrounding a suspension.”

A total of 373 licenses were revoked in 2014, down from 286 in 2013 but still below the 741 reported in 2012. Licenses are revoked if holders are convicted of certain crimes or otherwise deemed ineligible, moved out of state, died or decided not to hold their license anymore.

Nearly 900 license applications were denied last year, down from 1,142 in 2013.

In Mahoning County, 1,494 new licenses were issued and 686 were renewed. Another 20 were suspended, five were revoked and 17 license applications were denied.

In Trumbull County, 1,112 new licenses were issued and 1,302 were renewed. Another 44 were suspended, three were revoked and four license applications were denied.

In Columbiana County, 740 new licenses were issued, and 608 were renewed. Another dozen were suspended, and two were revoked.