Ohio issued a record number of concealed carry licenses according to a report released by Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine.

The report indicatsthat more than 78,000 concealed carry licenses were issued in Ohio in 2012, the largest number since licenses were first issued in 2004.

According to statistics reported to the Attorney General's office, county sheriffs in Ohio issued 64,650 new licenses and 12,160 renewal licenses in 2012, or 78,810 total licenses. The number of new licenses is also the largest in a single year since licenses were first issued in 2004.

"As a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, I am pleased to see more Ohioans than ever before are exercising their rights under Ohio's concealed carry law," DeWine said. "I look forward to continuing to work with Ohio's county sheriffs to provide information to Ohioans on this law's usage."

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.

A copy of the report is available on the Ohio Attorney General's website.  To learn more about Ohio's concealed carry laws, please visit www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov/ConcealedCarry.