Ohio AG: Concealed-carry permits show second-best increase

COLUMBUS — The number of new licenses issued to carry concealed firearms rose in 2015 to the second-highest level in the past five years, according to statistics released this week by the attorney general’s office.

The number of license suspensions also reached a two-year high, though the total was lower than in 2014. And the number of license revocations was the highest since 2011.

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.

A total of 71,589 new licenses were issued in 2015, up from 58,066 in ’14 but down from 96,972 in ’13. More than 44,500 licenses were renewed from January-December 2015.