German officials look to tighten gun laws after shooting spree

Senior German officials have called for further controls on the sale of guns after Friday’s deadly shooting in Munich that claimed the lives of nine people and the gunman, a deranged 18-year-old who was obsessed with mass killings.

“We must continue to do all we can to limit and strictly control access to deadly weapons,” German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel, leader of the centre-left Social Democrats said. He added that authorities were investigating how Ali Sonboly, the German-Iranian dual national, had gained access to a weapon despite signs that he had significant psychological issues.

The 18-year-old loner opened fire near a busy shopping centre, killing nine and wounding 27 more, before turning the gun on himself as police approached.