COLUMBUS, Ohio — The number of new concealed carry gun licenses issued in Ohio during the first six months of this year is not far behind the number of permits issued for all of 2012.

Ohio Attorney General Mike Dewine reports that a total of 63,481 new concealed carry gun licenses were issued from January to June of 2013 in the state of Ohio. That number compares to a total of 64,650 new licenses issued during the entire year of 2012; A difference of just 1,169 permits.

Statistics compiled from figures issued by the Attorney General's office also show increases in the  number of conceal carry licenses issued in the valley during the first six months of this year,compared to last year.

 January - June        2012     2013     CHANGE

Trumbull Co.            929    1,238     +33%
Mahoning Co.           334       667     +100%
Columbiana Co.        631       933     +48%
3 County Total       1,984     2,838    +43%
Ohio Total            35,022   63,481    +81%

The number of new licenses isssued in Mahoning and Trumbull counties during the first six months of this year already exceed the number of permits issued during all of 2012

The Attorney General reports that with the exception of 2012, the number of new licenses issued in the first six months of 2013 were more than in any single calendar year since concealed carry permits began being issued in 2004.