A-G updates concealed carry statistics

VW independent/submitted information

COLUMBUS — Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine has issued concealed carry license statistics for the first quarter of 2014, which reveal that more than 32,000 concealed carry licenses were issued in Ohio between January 1-March 31.

The following statewide numbers were reported to the Attorney General’s Office from county sheriffs in Ohio for the first quarter of 2014:

• Number of new licenses Issued: 16,205
• Number of licenses renewed: 15,832
• Total licenses Issued: 32,037

In Van Wert County, there were 40 new licenses issued, 37 renewals, while one license was suspended and one license was revoked. That compares to 119 new licenses in the first quarter of 2013. Neighboring counties are as follows:

Allen – 133 new licenses (339 in the first quarter of 2013), 230 renewals, two suspended and two revoked; Auglaize County – 78 new licenses (240 for the period last year), 139 renewals, two suspended, zero revoked; Mercer County, 69 new licenses (216 same period in 2013), 68 renewals, zero suspended and revoked; Paulding County – 14 new licenses (71 in first quarter of 2013), 11 renewals, zero suspended or revoked; Putnam County – 44 new licenses (148 new licenses in the first quarter of 2013), 28 renewals, 2 suspended and zero revoked.

The Attorney General’s Office compiles an annual report as required by law 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. Those quarterly statistics are published on the Ohio Attorney General’s website once compiled and verified.

The full 2014 first quarter report and previous reports are available on the Ohio Attorney General’s website.