Munich shooting prompts calls for German gun laws review

German government officials called for stricter gun laws after a teenage gunman went on a deadly shooting rampage in Munich. David Ali Sonboly, 18, opened fire with a Glock pistol at a McDonald's and the Olympia shopping centre in the southern German city on 22 July, killing nine people and wounding at least 27 before killing himself.

Police were investigating how the attacker acquired the weapon, which was illegal and had its serial number removed.

"We must continue to do all we can to limit and strictly control access to deadly weapons," Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel told news group Funke Mediengruppe. "Gun control is an important issue".

Gabriel, the head of the centre-left Social Democratic party, was echoed by Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere, a member of the centre-right Christian Democrats. The two traditionally rival parties are currently in a coalition government.

De Maiziere told the Bild am Sonntag newspaper in a separate interview that a review of Germany's already strict gun laws was on the government's agenda.

"We have to evaluate very carefully if and where further legal changes are needed," he said, according to a translation provided by Reuters.

Meanwhile, Munich police are investigating possible motives for the attack, including reports that Sonboly, who underwent psychiatric treatment for depression, plotted a revenge attack targeting youths after years of bullying and harboured hatred against foreigners.