Attorney General's concealed carry report shows record number of licenses issued in 2012

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WDTN) - The State of Ohio issued more concealed carry licenses in 2012, the largest number since licenses were first issued in 2004, according to Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine .

The AG's report, released Feb. 27, shows 78,810 total licenses issued, 64,650 of those new licenses and 12,160 renewals.

"As a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, I am pleased to see more Ohioans than ever before are exercising their rights under Ohio's concealed carry law," DeWine said. "I look forward to continuing to work with Ohio's county sheriffs to provide information to Ohioans on this law's usage."

By law, the the Attorney General's Office compiles an annual report about the number of licenses issued each year. Each sheriff must report concealed handgun license statistics quarterly to the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission within the Ohio Attorney General's Office.

A copy of the report is available on the Ohio Attorney General's website .  To learn more about Ohio's concealed carry laws, please visit www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov/ConcealedCarry .