There's concern gun licence holders aren’t seeking mental health help for fear their licences will be taken away.

Under current firearms laws, health professionals can require further assessment or report anyone they feel is a danger to themselves or other people. 

A report can result in the firearm licence being revoked - which means a five year stand-down period before they can apply again. 

Council of Licenced Firearm Owners spokesperson Hugh Devereux-Mack says many firearms owners fear that if they report a mental health issue, the police will intervene.

"We've seen a number of cases where there's people coming forward to COLFO, the Deerstalkers’ and others basically saying - look, I'm having a real problem here, but I don't know who I can talk to."

LISTEN ABOVE