HAMPSHIRE residents applying for a firearms licence must provide a reference from their GP.

Prospective gun owners across the county must provide a reference when applying for a firearm licence.

Furthermore, gun owners suffering from mental health issues could be reported to Hampshire Constabulary and have their licence withdrawn.

It comes following a shooting atrocity in Plymouth when Jake Davison, 22, killed five people before turning a gun on himself during a 12-minute attack.

Police forces in England and Wales have been asked to review their current firearm application processes in the wake of the mass shooting on August 12.

The Government said on Sunday evening that it was preparing statutory guidance to help ensure higher standards of decision-making for police firearms licensing applications.

This will cover social media checks of those applying for permission to own a firearm or shotgun, according to the Home Office.

All police forces in England and Wales are now being asked to assess whether they need to revisit any existing licences.

Commenting on the issue of firearms licencing, Donna Jones, Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and Isle of Wight, said:

“Following the tragic incident in Plymouth, my thoughts remain with the families of those who died and the police officers who were first on the scene. This cannot and must not happen again.

“Hampshire Constabulary require a GP reference to be included when firearms licences are made, before issuing or processing gun licences.

"Previously when GP references were requested after an application was processed, very few GPs responded. The point of the reference is to assess a person’s suitability to own a firearm and enable any mental health issues to be considered.

“Furthermore, if someone in possession of a firearm licence seeks help and support from their GP for any mental health-related issue, their GP is obliged to report the mental health issue to Hampshire Constabulary’s Firearms unit for revocation of the licence. By insisting on a GP reference at the point of application, Hampshire Constabulary has built in an additional layer of protection for the public.”