Victorian Coroner Recommends Mental Health Verification for Gun License Renewals
A Victorian coroner has recommended that people applying for or renewing firearms licenses must provide evidence of mental wellbeing rather than relying on self-reporting. The recommendation follows an inquiry into a gun owner who failed to disclose extensive mental health and substance abuse issues before taking his own life in December 2024. The coroner found the current system functions as a 'rubber stamping process' rather than genuine vetting for dangerous equipment.
Victorian Coroner Simon McGregor issued the recommendation after investigating the death of a 42-year-old gun owner identified as 'AT,' who owned five firearms but did not self-report his history of depression, adjustment disorder, and ketamine misuse when renewing his license. The coroner found that Victoria's current system, which relies on applicants ticking a box to disclose mental health treatment in the past five years, is inadequate for assessing fitness to hold firearms. McGregor recommended shifting the burden to applicants to provide medical evidence of mental wellbeing, noting that doctors have no way of knowing a patient holds a gun license unless told. The recommendation comes as Victoria recorded 342 firearms deaths by suicide over the decade from 2016 to 2025. The coroner also suggested child protection practitioners be granted access to firearms license information to assess family violence risk. The state government is considering the recommendations alongside a broader rapid review of Victorian firearm laws commissioned after the Bondi Beach attack.
What different sources said
- ABC AustraliaCenter
Victorian coroner recommends mental health guarantee for gun owners
- Sydney Morning HeraldCenter
Coroner wants gun licence ‘rubber stamping’ bolstered with medical checks
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