BOSTON (AP) ? Attorney General Martha Coakley is leading the push for passage of legislation to expand and modernize the state’s wiretapping laws.

Coakley says the changes would help police target violent street criminals and illegal guns.

She planned on Monday to join with a coalition of law enforcement officials, lawmakers and other advocates for a briefing on the bill.

Supporters of the legislation say the current state’s wiretapping laws have not been updated since 1968, and do not take into account modern forms of communication, including cellphones.

A similar proposal fell short of final approval on Beacon Hill last year.

Critics, including some defense attorneys, say expanded wiretapping could lead to abuses by law enforcement.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.