Calls grow for mental health checks to be done when Queenslanders apply for a gun licence

The calls are growing for mental health checks to be conducted when Queenslanders try to obtain a firearm.

The state’s police union believes a mental health assessment should be introduced to secure or renew gun licences in the wake of the tragic Wieambilla shooting.

ABC News reported that two brothers, Nathaniel and Gareth Train, opened fire and killed two police officers and a neighbour, during an ambush in Queensland's Western Downs.

Queensland Police Union President Ian Leavers told The Australian that a simple mental health check could put one more layer in place to prevent the wrong people getting a weapon.

Leavers told the outlet: “Guns are not dangerous in the right hands, but they are very dangerous in the wrong hands.

"We have to be extremely cautious and appropriate checks need to be done to ensure that only fit and proper people are allowed to hold a gun licence.”

In Queensland, to apply for a new Weapons Act licence, one must complete an identification check and provide a genuine reason for applying.

Police search for criminal records when someone applies for a gun licence and an applicant is required to provide information on their medical history.

This would indicate whether the person has a 'psychiatric disorder, psychological or emotional problem', 'brain injuries or neurological conditions' or other physical issues.

But if the person has undiagnosed mental health problems then that won't be revealed to authorities.

Queensland criminal lawyer Bill Potts, a former Queensland Law Society President, told The Australian: “I think it is time we look at this, like they are in the US with the ‘red flag’ laws, where people with a disturbing history of political engagement or extremism, domestic violence or strange behaviour can have their licences taken away.

“There should be a requirement that a person is not suffering mental illness when they seek a licence and that they are checked every year.’’

In June of this year, US President Joe Biden signed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to address the sweeping gun violence happening across the nation.

The legislation provides grants to states with ‘red flag’ laws to expand background checks to juvenile records, keep guns away from dating partners convicted of abuse, enhance background checks for people ages 18 to 21 and provide funding for youth mental health services.

However, in the wake of the 10th anniversary of the Sandy Hook tragedy, the President said the nation should have ‘societal guilt’ for taking so long to enact change.

“We should have societal guilt for taking too long to deal with this problem. We have a moral obligation to pass and enforce laws that can prevent these things from happening again,” he said in a statement.

“We owe it to the courageous, young survivors and to the families who lost part of their soul ten years ago to turn their pain into purpose.”