Warrants to temporarily seize weapons from individuals who are a threat to themselves or others have been rising in Connecticut, even before the killings last December of 20 school children and six administrators in Newtown.
The New Haven Register reports that more than 2,000 weapons were seized in the 10 years since October 1999 when state law took effect following the killings of five people at the Connecticut State Lottery headquarters in 1998.
The courts approved 274 warrants through the end of 2008. Another 373 were approved through 2012.
Michael Lawlor, the state's undersecretary for criminal justice policy and planning, requested an update showing that 256 warrants are projected for 2013.
He attributes the increase to the Newtown killings and a growing awareness of the law among police.
