ALBANY ⁠— Petitions to disarm individuals deemed a threat to themselves or the public are pouring into New York's court system since the state's so-called "red flag" law went into effect on Aug. 24.

There were 129 active protective orders barring weapon possession in the state, including at least five in the Capital Region, as of Oct. 30, according to the Office of Court Administration.

Educators, law enforcement officials, and family members may request an Extreme Risk Protection Order against someone they suspect poses a danger to themselves or others, according to the law. A judge determines whether there is probable cause to remove the guns the same day and a hearing is scheduled within 10 days to determine whether a "final" protective order is justified.

Statewide, there are 3o final orders barring weapon possession, which are valid up to a year unless an extension is requested, and 99 are pending, according to state courts.

Orders denied or no longer in effect are sealed and not tracked by state courts, according to Lucian Chalfen, spokesman for the state Office of Court Administration.

In September, a Stephentown man became the first person in the state to have his weapons seized after he allegedly fired a pistol and struck a neighbor's car and later indicated he might harm himself. He was criminally charged in that case.

At least two other people have been barred from possessing weapons in Rensselaer County. In Schoharie County, two "extreme risk" orders have been issued, one temporary and one final. In Warren County, a temporary "red flag" order involving a man alleged to have used derogatory language toward public officials has been dismissed.

The vast majority of the state's extreme risk protection orders have been approved in Suffolk County, where some law enforcement officials are preemptively requesting protective orders, including for people who may not own a firearm, according to court officials. Of 74 orders, 15 in Suffolk County are final, while the rest are pending review.

A statewide educational campaign is underway. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and teachers union leaders held two conferences in October to inform parents, teachers, and school officials on the "red flag" law and how it relates to school safety. A forum for Albany educators will take place next month.

"Schools should be safe sanctuaries, not armed fortresses," American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten said at an event in Manhattan on Saturday. "Teachers don't want to be armed, we want to teach and we want to protect kids. This smart law empowers educators and school staff to act and be heard when they suspect danger while still protecting students' due process right."

The state has launched a call center and a new website offering information and links to step-by-step instructions about how to apply for an "extreme risk" order of protection.

Since last year's school shooting in Parkland, Fla., which left 17 dead, at least 12 states have enacted legislation that allows law enforcement to remove guns from individuals deemed dangerous.

It's not clear if the laws are effective at preventing school violence. There is some preliminary evidence that "red flag" laws have prevented mass shootings in states like California, which enacted a similar bill in 2016. Other studies suggest that the laws are effective at reducing suicides by gun.

Critics have raised due process questions arguing that "red flag" laws enable the government to seize weapons when no crime has been committed.

"We have an issue with it, not because it’s going to keep mentally ill people from having a firearm, but because of the way it's being enforced," said Tom King, President of the New York State Rifle & Pistol Association. "It’s the first time I’ve ever heard of due process coming after your property has been taken and your home has been searched."