COLUMBUS – Ohio and the rest of the nation saw robust gun sales in 2020 and county sheriffs reported an increase in the number of concealed-carry permits issued, though it was not the largest number ever, according to a report released Monday by the office of Ohio attorney general Dave Yost.
Sheriffs office statewide issued 169,232 permits for carrying concealed weapons, 27.8% more than in 2019, but the number was only the third highest since concealed-carry permits began being issued 16 years ago, Yost said.
Sheriffs issued 98,892 new licenses and 72,340 renewals while denying 1,777 applicants and suspending or revoking 2,047 licenses.
Yost days 85 of the 88 sheriff’s offices in the state issued more licenses in 2020 than in 2019.
Under Ohio law, sheriffs are responsible for issuing, renewing, revoking and suspending concealed-carry licenses.
Each sheriff must report concealed handgun license statistics quarterly to the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission within the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, which must issue an annual report about the number of licenses issued.