LANCASTER − Since 2022 when Gov. Mike DeWine signed constitutional carry into law, Ohio gun owners have not needed a concealed carry license from the sheriff’s office to carry concealed.
The law also eliminates mandated firearms training to conceal carry. Additionally, drivers do not have to tell a police officer they have a weapon unless the officer asks. Before constitutional carry , they had to immediately tell the officer when pulled over if they were carrying a weapon.
But are people still applying for a concealed carry license even with constitutional carry?
Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office Civil Coordinator Jeneanne Smyers said new applications have dropped, but most of those with a license are renewing them when their five-year license expires.
Last year there were 128 new applicants in the county with 119 of those approved. There were 1,150 renewal applications and they were all approved.
In 2021, the last year a concealed carry license was needed, 589 applied for a license and 562 were issued. There were 1,767 renewal applications that year with all being approved.