HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut officials are setting aside millions of dollars to address backlogs in background checks that have soared into the thousands since the December school shooting in the state, which is one of several struggling with bottlenecks as people rush to buy guns ahead of new restrictions.
Since the Dec. 14 massacre of 20 children and six educators at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown reignited the debate over gun laws in the U.S., a host of factors have strained state background check systems, including a spike in gun purchases. Tougher gun laws have also been passed in Connecticut, Colorado and elsewhere that include additional background check requirements, and states must hire more workers to do the checks. Outdated technology used to take fingerprints has also contributed to the backlog.
