CINCINNATI (AP) — Ohio's attorney general reports the number of licenses issued for carrying concealed weapons reached a record of more than 76,000 in 2012.
That's the most since 2004, when such licenses were first issued in Ohio. The statistics released Wednesday are reported by sheriffs around the state.
There were 64,650 new licenses and 12,160 renewal licenses issued last year for a total of 76,810. The number of new licenses also was the largest in a single year since 2004.
The largest total number of licenses for a single year issued previously in Ohio was more than 73,000 in 2009. That included new and renewed licenses.
A total of 49,828 licenses were issued in 2011.
Attorney General Mike DeWine's office compiles the annual report of the number of licenses issued each year.
