158,982 total concealed carry licenses in 2016 was the highest on record for Ohio since licenses began being issued more than a decade ago

Staff report

COLUMBUS

Ohioans secured record numbers of licenses to carry concealed firearms last year, according to statistics released by Attorney General Mike DeWine on Wednesday.

A total of 117,953 new licenses were issued, well above the 71,589 issued in 2015. Another 40,986 licenses were renewed, down from 44,551 a year earlier.

But the combined 158,939 total licenses in 2016 was the highest on record since licenses began being issued more than a decade ago. The previous record was 145,342 in 2013, according to the attorney general’s office.

Additionally, 1,669 licenses were suspended in 2016, up from 1,319 in 2015. Another 697 were revoked, up from 530 in 2015. And 1,634 were denied, up from 1,117 during the prior year.

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.

Among area counties:

In Columbiana County, 1,461 new licenses were issued and 473 were renewed. Another 23 were suspended, six were revoked and three applications were denied.

In Mahoning County, 2,840 licenses were issued and 650 were renewed. Another 41 were suspended, three were revoked and 88 licenses were denied.

In Stark County, 2,637 licenses were issued, 989 were renewed, 40 were suspended and 55 were denied.

In Trumbull County, 1,469 licenses were issued, 901 were renewed, 47 were suspended, two were revoked and 12 were denied.