Instruments that break the laws (4)

I believe the answer is:

awls

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'instruments' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I can't see?

'break the laws' is the wordplay.
'break' indicates an anagram.
'laws' anagrammed gives 'AWLS'.

'that' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for awls that I've seen before include "Pointed hand-tools" , "Laws about boring tools (4)" , "Small piercing tools" , "Tools for punching small holes" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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