Ohio sheriffs issued nearly 19-thousand concealed carry permits in the first three months of the year, a 40-percent increase from the same period in 2010. Gun rights advocates are crediting recent law changes with making it more comfortable for people to carry concealed weapons in restaurants and bars that serve liquor, as well as in school safety zones. Ohio was ranked 11th last year in estimated total active permits and 25th in percentage of the population holding one. Ohioans have been permitted to carry concealed weapons since 2004.