Police call for GPs to screen gun users

Police chiefs yesterday called on doctors to play a part in the tougher vetting of firearms users to stem Britain's growing "gun culture".

While rejecting psychological profiling as "ineffective", the Association of Chief Police Officers said GPs should have to fill in questionnaires aimed at revealing anything in an applicant's mental or physical health history which may make them unsuitable gun owners.

People wanting a gun licence should also have to advertise their application in local newspapers.

Jim Sharples, Chief Constable of Merseyside and association president, in evidence to the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee which is examining gun law in the wake of the Dunblane massacre - said police needed wider powers to turn down licence applications.

The medical profession has already rejected the suggestion GPs should judge patients or breach confidentiality.