COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio’s 2025 concealed carry report shows that most concealed handgun licenses issued last year were renewals, underscoring how many existing permit holders are staying in the system even as state law allows most qualifying adults to carry without a permit.
According to the 2025 Concealed Carry Annual Report released by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, a total of 77,159 concealed handgun licenses were issued statewide last year. That figure includes 13,876 new licenses and 63,283 renewals reported by county sheriffs across Ohio.
The annual report, required by state law, compiles quarterly data from all 88 county sheriffs and is published by the Attorney General’s Office. Sheriffs are responsible for issuing, renewing, suspending and revoking licenses, while the Attorney General’s Office aggregates and releases the statistics.
Ohio Concealed Carry Report 2025: Renewals Outpace New Licenses
The Ohio concealed carry report 2025 shows that renewals made up the vast majority of activity in the licensing system:
- Total licenses in 2025: 77,159
- New licenses: 13,876
- Renewals: 63,283
That means roughly 82% of all licenses issued in 2025 were renewals, suggesting that people who obtained licenses in prior years continue to see value in keeping them current, even though a license is no longer required to carry a concealed handgun in Ohio.
Ohio concealed handgun licenses are generally valid for five years, and permit holders must apply through their local sheriff’s office to renew.
Permitless Carry Law Still Allows – and Supports – Licensing
Ohio’s concealed carry landscape changed significantly on June 13, 2022, when a new law took effect allowing most qualifying Ohioans to carry a concealed handgun without obtaining a license. The change is sometimes referred to as “constitutional carry” or “permitless carry.”
Despite that shift, the permitting system remains in place and still serves several key purposes:
- Reciprocity in other states: Some states recognize Ohio’s concealed handgun licenses but do not recognize Ohio’s permitless carry provision. Travelers who carry firearms in other states may still need a physical Ohio license to legally carry there.
- Documentation and background vetting: Some gun owners prefer having evidence of having passed a background check and, where applicable, a training course associated with a license.
- Structured process with sheriffs: The license system maintains a formal relationship between gun owners and county sheriffs, who can suspend or revoke licenses when individuals become legally prohibited from possessing firearms.
The 2025 report reflects this dual system: While Ohioans are not required to obtain a license to carry concealed in-state, tens of thousands still choose to renew their licenses each year.
Role of County Sheriffs and State Oversight
Under Ohio law, county sheriffs:
- Receive and process applications for new and renewed concealed handgun licenses,
- Conduct background checks,
- Issue or deny applications,
- Suspend or revoke licenses when required by law.
Each sheriff must report statistics on new licenses, renewals, suspensions and revocations quarterly to the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission, which is part of the Attorney General’s Office. The AG’s office then compiles those figures into the annual concealed carry report.
Ohio sheriffs first began issuing concealed-carry licenses in 2004, when the state’s original licensing framework took effect. Since then, the Attorney General has released annual reports to provide a transparent view of how many licenses are issued and maintained each year.
What Hasn’t Changed Under Ohio Concealed Carry Law
The 2025 report is also a reminder that, despite permitless carry, many legal requirements have not changed:
- Individuals who are prohibited under state or federal law – such as certain felony offenders or those subject to specific court orders – are still barred from possessing firearms.
- Ohioans must still comply with rules regarding where firearms may be carried, including restrictions in certain government buildings, schools and other sensitive locations.
- The permitting system offers a more formal avenue for law enforcement to track suspensions and revocations when someone becomes ineligible.
Residents considering carrying a concealed handgun are encouraged by the Attorney General’s Office to review current statutes and guidance, and to seek training on safe firearm handling, storage and use.
Where to Read the 2025 Report
The full 2025 Concealed Carry Annual Report and additional information on Ohio gun laws are available on the Attorney General’s website:
- Concealed carry overview and resources: OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov/ConcealedCarry
- 2025 annual report (PDF): Linked from the concealed carry reports section on that page.
The report breaks down license activity by county and includes totals for new licenses, renewals and other actions. Those numbers provide more detailed insight into trends in specific regions, including Northeast Ohio.