OHIO — County sheriff’s offices across Ohio issued 202,920 concealed carry licenses in 2021 marking a record, according to data released Tuesday by Ohio Attorney General David Yost. 

What You Need To Know

  • Ohio set a yearly record in 2021 for concealed carry permits issued

  • More than 200,000 new and renewed licenses were issued by county sheriff’s offices in 2021 throughout Ohio

  • State lawmakers are considering a bill that would make it legal to carry a concealed weapon without a permit

According to Yost’s office, county sheriffs issued 94,298 new licenses and 108,622 renewals. The number of new licenses declined slightly from 2020 when 96,892 licenses were issued. But 2021 marked a record level of renewals. 

The number of applications denied jumped 50% to 2,668 in 2021. There were also 1,880 licenses suspended and 420 licenses revoked in 2021.

While the number of Ohioans licensed to carry a concealed weapon increases, efforts are underway to eliminate the licensing process and to allow concealed firearms to be carried without a license. The Ohio Senate passed Senate Bill 215 in December and the legislation is now being considered by the Ohio House. 

The legislation would no longer require drivers to have to tell police they have a firearm on them if they are pulled over, however, if an officer asks, the driver would have to be honest about it.

The legislation has wide support among Republican lawmakers, but faces opposition from the Fraternal Order of Police. 

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