Ohio’s Constitutional Carry Success Story
The year 2023 saw a surge in the number of new concealed carry handgun permits issued by the State of Ohio. The 15,000 new permits granted marked a sizable jump despite a recent significant legislative change by which Ohio no longer mandates concealed carry permits. Ohio joined the growing list of American states formalizing “constitutional carry” that does not include a prior restraint of the free exercise of Second Amendment rights.
According to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, the transition to constitutional carry in June 2022, which made Ohio the 23rd state to adopt such legislation, did not result in the anticipated rise in violent crime. A comprehensive study conducted jointly by his office and the Center for Justice Research at Bowling Green State University revealed a decline in gun-related crimes in six out of Ohio’s eight major cities.
More than 15,000 new concealed carry permits issued in Ohio in 2023 https://t.co/hhkxW8EBO2
— John Solomon (@jsolomonReports) March 2, 2024
The study, scrutinizing data from June 2021 to June 2023, uncovered significant drops in firearm-related incidents, with cities like Parma, Akron, and Toledo witnessing decreases of up to 22%. These findings challenge the dire predictions made by critics of the constitutional carry law, who feared a return to a lawless, “Wild West” scenario. Nevertheless, Yost’s report indicates there has been a notable decrease in violent crime in the Buckeye State.
The implications of Ohio’s experience extend beyond state lines. Similar trends have been observed in Florida, where constitutional carry laws were recently implemented. Contrary to the catastrophic outcomes predicted by opponents, cities like Jacksonville and Miami have seen decreases in homicides and shootings. These results contribute to a growing body of evidence suggesting that law-abiding citizens exercising their Second Amendment rights may not be the problem critics have made them out to be.
The debate around gun control and public safety is complex and often charged with emotion. However, the data emerging from Ohio and Florida presents a compelling case for reevaluating the impact of constitutional carry laws. While it’s important to acknowledge that these laws are not the sole factor influencing crime rates, their implementation has not led to the rampant violence predicted by many in the mainstream media and political circles.
Critics of constitutional carry, including national figures and media outlets, have quickly condemned these policies as extreme and dangerous. Yet, the real-world outcomes in states like Ohio and Florida tell a different story. As more states consider adopting similar measures, it’s crucial to base the conversation on facts and data rather than unfounded fears.