COLUMBUS, Ohio – The number of concealed-carry permits declined in Ohio last year, though there was a surge of renewals, according to a report from the state issued Thursday.
The annual report from the office of Attorney General Mike DeWine says Ohio sheriffs issued 58,006 new concealed-carry permits in 2014, a dramatic decrease from the 96,972 issued in 2013. Additionally, the number of permit renewals rose to 52,146 from 48,370 in 2013 due to the number of permits up for renewal after five years because of a change in state law, DeWine said.
The number of permits applied for, including those denied, declined from 98,114 in 2013 to 58,888 last year, the report said.
In Franklin County, 3,696 new permits were issued and 2,770 were renewed.
That 24 percent drop was the first decline in several years, according to a report in the Columbus Dispatch.