New Year's Day killer had guns confiscated three years ago He said the decision followed national procedure, but MPs yesterday called for that procedure to be changed. Grahame Morris, MP for Easington, which includes the village of Horden, said that decisions on who should hold gun licenses should involve agencies outside the police, who are currently solely responsible. He said: "At the moment it is fairly subjective - the police are responsible for carrying out an assessment of whether an individual is a fit and proper person to hold a firearms licence. My view is there should be some input from a suitably qualified health care professional. Secondly, I also wonder whether it is reasonable to keep firearms in a domestic situation. Mr Morris said a balance between the rights of shotgun users and the safety of the public needed to be struck. He added: "Let's not forget, four people lost their lives on New Year's Day." Keith Vaz, Chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, said the current situation of 44 separate pieces of gun legislation should be unified "so everyone is clear where the law stands." He said it would be "appropriate" for the Government to look at gun laws in Canada where the partners of gun licence applicants are contacted in advance of a licence being issued. It emerged yesterday that Atherton's victims, his partner Susan McGoldrick, 47, her sister, Alison Turnbull, 44, and niece, Tanya Turnbull, 24, had been out at a disco at the local rugby club but police said that shortly after their return to the home Atherton and Mrs McGoldrick shared an argument broke out. Atherton fetched the guns and immediately opened fire. Mrs McGoldrick was found in the kitchen, her sister and niece in the living room. Atherton was found in the doorway between the rooms. Post mortems showed they all died from gunshot wounds. Mrs McGoldrick's daughter Laura, 19, escaped with minor injuries by jumping out of an upstairs window. Two others in the house at the time also fled. Atherton had also out separately that night, at the local cricket and social clubs, where he was said to be in good spirits, and had returned before the women. Earlier in the day it is understood he took part in the traditional Boxing Day dip in nearby Blackhall. He and Mrs McGoldrick were well liked in the village. Elaine Wilkinson, 48, who runs a fishing tackle shop in Horden, said she had known the couple for years and last year Mrs McGoldrick had confided her worry to her about Atherton's heart condition, for which he had an operation. She said: "He was a fun, outgoing chap but you don't know what he was like behind four walls. He was suffering from depression for quite a while but I don't know if that's got anything to do with it. They were both hot headed but were very nice people. This is such a terrible shock. Jean Gray, who shared a driveway with the couple in Greenside Ave, Horden, said she was woken by someone knocking on her door, possibly Laura, but did not answer because it was so late. She described them as a "nice couple and good neighbours." She added: "He must have just snapped somehow and things just gone too far." Laura's grandparents, Thomas and Hazel McGoldrick, said: "We are devastated. We appreciate everyone's concern but we have been told not to say