Among the more interesting of the large number of reports issued each year by various state agencies is the annual set of statistics on concealed handgun licenses in Ohio provided by Attorney General David Yost.

The numbers for 2025 continue to show some of what you might expect — the number of new licenses issued in the state has continued to fall. Last year’s total was 13,876, a drop from the 14,440 that were issued in 2024.

When you add that to the 63,283 renewals that were recorded last year — a process permit holders must complete every five years if they want to keep active licenses — you get a total of 77,159 permits issued, which tops the 73,552 that were recorded in 2024.

Those are some interesting numbers, especially when you consider that since 2022, Ohio has been a constitutional carry state, which means residents can carry a concealed handgun without a permit.

“One likely explanation is the continued value of Ohio’s reciprocity agreements with most other states,” Yost wrote in the report. “These agreements allow Ohio permit holders to legally carry a concealed handgun while traveling in states that recognize Ohio’s license, including many that do not have constitutional carry laws.”

Since 2015, the report explains, Ohio has recognized the concealed carry license of any nonresident who has a valid concealed handgun license from any other state, whether or not Ohio has a reciprocity agreement with that state, the report says.

There are, however, 10 states — California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon and Rhode Island — that do not offer reciprocity to Ohio residents.

And, while Minnesota does not enter reciprocity deals, that state has granted Ohioans the right to carry concealed handguns.

It should come as little surprise that Ohio’s most populous counties have the highest number of new licenses issued. Franklin County saw 1,108 new licenses last year, while Hamilton County recorded 872 new licenses. Franklin County also led the way with renewals, coming in with 3,751. Lake County, just to the east of Cuyahoga County in the northeastern part of Ohio, had the second greatest number of renewals at 3,167.

The numbers of licenses that were suspended or revoked also has been dropping during the past several years. In 2025, there were 1,269 licensees suspended, down from the 1,439 that were suspended in 2024. Lake County saw the greatest number of suspensions in 2025 at 101, followed by Franklin County at 95.

When it comes to licenses that were revoked, last year’s statewide total stood at 254, down from the 339 reported in 2024. Franklin County had the most, 71, while Clermont County, which is east of Cincinnati, was second at 32.

Bucking those trends are the number of licenses that were outright denied. Last year’s total of 449 marked an increase over the 377 denials that were recorded in 2024.

So, what about the numbers seen in the counties in our region?

In Jefferson County, there were 32 licenses issued last year, a number that was down from the 42 that were issued in 2024. There were 408 renewals last year, down from the 461 recorded in 2024. And, the two licenses suspended last year was a lower total than the four that were suspended in 2024.

Harrison County saw 121 licenses issued in 2025, which was down from the 127 issued during 2024. There were 363 licenses renewed there last year, a big jump from the 264 in 2024. There were seven licenses suspended in the county last year, up from three in 2024. Harrison County had 11 licenses denied last year, up from the four seen in 2024.

The number of new licenses issued in Carroll County last year — 22 — was the same as the number that were issued in 2024. There were 300 renewals last year, up from the 226 seen in 2024. There were two licenses suspended and two licenses revoked last year, while there were five suspensions in 2024.

In Belmont County, there were 55 licenses issued last year, lower than the 71 that were issued in 2024. The county also saw 509 renewals, higher than the 490 recorded in 2024. There were 14 licenses suspended last year, higher than the three seen in 2024. Sixteen licenses were revoked in 2025 — the number was one in 2024 –and 12 licenses denied –the number was five in 2024.

And, Columbiana County issued 121 licenses last year, a number that was lower than the 148 issued in 2024. There were 995 renewals last year, down from the 778 seen in 2024. Fifteen licenses were suspended last year, while 27 were suspended in 2024, and three licenses were denied last year, up from the one seen in 2024.

While you no longer have to hold one in Ohio, Yost said there are advantages to getting a concealed carry license, the biggest being the training behind each permit. The coursework, he said, provides practical instruction on firearm safety, handling and the legal responsibilities of gun ownership.

It seems like many of the guarantees in the Bill of Rights are under increasing attack every day. That includes the rights continued in the Second Amendment. And, while there certainly always will be debate about guns, those who choose to be responsible and follow the law should be able to continue to enjoy gun ownership.

(Gallabrese, a resident of Steubenville, is senior writer of the Herald-Star and The Weirton Daily Times)