Key Takeaways
- In 2025, Ohio saw a 4.9% increase in concealed carry permits despite the adoption of constitutional carry, allowing permitless concealed carry.
- The total number of permits issued reached 77,159, with renewals up by 7.1% and new licenses down by 3.9%.
- Reciprocity with 39 states remains a significant factor, as it allows Ohio permit holders to carry legally in states recognizing Ohio permits.
- Meanwhile, enforcement actions have decreased, with suspensions down 11.8% and revocations down 25%.
- The trend shows that removing permit requirements does not deter responsible gun owners from obtaining permits for education and legal clarity.
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
COLUMBUS, OH – A newly released report from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office shows concealed carry permits in the state increased in 2025, even though Ohio residents are no longer required to obtain a permit to carry a concealed handgun.
According to the 2025 Statistics on Concealed-Handgun Licenses in Ohio annual report, sheriffs issued 77,159 concealed carry permits statewide in 2025, a 4.9 percent increase compared to 2024.
The increase comes three years after Ohio adopted constitutional carry, allowing law-abiding adults to carry concealed without a license while keeping the permitting system available for those who choose it.
Permits Remain Popular After Constitutional Carry
The report notes that permit numbers initially declined after constitutional carry took effect in 2022 but stabilized in the following years before rising again in 2025.
Of the total permits issued last year:
- 13,876 were new licenses
- 63,283 were renewals
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Renewals increased by 7.1 percent, while new license issuance declined slightly by 3.9 percent compared to the previous year.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said the renewed growth likely reflects practical benefits that still come with holding a permit.
In a video statement accompanying the report, Yost explained that many gun owners continue obtaining permits because they allow lawful concealed carry while traveling in states that recognize Ohio licenses.
He added that serious Second Amendment supporters often choose to maintain permits even when they are no longer legally required, calling the license both a safety measure and a point of pride among responsible gun owners.
Reciprocity Remains a Key Factor
The report highlights reciprocity as a major reason permits retain value.
Ohio concealed handgun license holders currently have reciprocity with 39 states, allowing them to legally carry while traveling in jurisdictions that recognize Ohio permits but may not allow permitless carry.
Ten states do not recognize Ohio permits or otherwise grant concealed carry rights to Ohio residents, including California, New York, and New Jersey.
Suspensions and Revocations Decline
The report also shows continued decreases in enforcement-related actions involving license holders.
In 2025:
- License suspensions dropped 11.8 percent
- License revocations fell 25 percent
Suspensions typically occur when a license holder is arrested or becomes subject to certain legal restrictions, while revocations apply when an individual no longer meets eligibility requirements under Ohio law.
Applications denied by sheriffs increased modestly, rising 19.1 percent year over year, reflecting statutory eligibility screening requirements.
Training and Responsibility Still Drive Participation
The Attorney General’s report emphasizes that concealed carry licensing continues to provide structured firearms education covering safety, handling, and legal responsibilities.
Even in a constitutional carry environment, many Ohioans appear to view the permit as an additional layer of preparation and accountability rather than a legal obligation.
Second Amendment Context
Ohio’s latest data reinforces a trend seen in several constitutional carry states: removing permit requirements does not eliminate responsible participation in licensing programs.
Instead, many gun owners continue pursuing permits voluntarily to expand lawful carry options across state lines and to formalize their training and understanding of firearm laws.
The report illustrates that expanding constitutional protections and personal freedom does not reduce responsibility. Law-abiding citizens continue to seek education, reciprocity, and legal clarity while exercising what courts have long recognized as a fundamental civil right.
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