The coroner probing the deadly 2006 Dawson College shooting is calling for a ban on semi-automatic weapons like the one used by the gunman.

Coroner Jacques Ramsay released his findings at a news conference in Montreal on Thursday.

Nearly two years earlier, on Sept. 13, 2006, Kimveer Gill went on a shooting spree at the English-language college in Montreal, killing student Anastasia De Sousa and wounding 20.

Gill was then wounded by police, but managed to take his own life before they could make an arrest.

Gill used a Beretta CX4 Storm semi-automatic carbine, and a handgun in the violent rampage -- weapons he acquired legally.

In his report, Ramsay called on the government to ban the semi-automatic weapon, saying the gun should be subject to laws restricting sales of paramilitary-style firearms which are lighter, more accurate and more easily handled.

Ramsay also said in the report that federal and provincial gun registries should be more accessible to some health and education officials. He said a school principal could use the list to determine whether a student owns a gun.

New details

In the news conference, Ramsay provided details about the events on Sept. 13. He said Gill had taken a few drinks before he stormed the school, but was not drunk.

Gill fired 72 times with the semi-automatic rifle and six times with a handgun, Ramsay said.

De Sousa was riddled with bullets, Ramsay said, sustaining 10 shots to the front and the back.

Since the tragedy, Dawson College has worked to improve its emergency preparedness plan to prevent future incidents.

Ramsay said in his report that police should work with schools to help them fine-tune emergency plans and set up an effective communication plan for crisis situations..

He also called for police cruisers to be equipped with GPS systems to improve deployment and tracking during emergencies.

'Anastasia's Law'

On the same day the coroner released his report, Quebec Public Security Minister Jacques Dupuis announced further additions to the bill named after Anastasia De Sousa that came into effect on Sept. 1.

The bill bans guns from schools, daycare centres and public transit, and requires professionals such as doctors and psychologists to report signs of high risk behavior

Under the proposed additions to the bill, anyone applying for a gun licence will be required to make application to local police first.

"Often, local police know their citizens better, so they might say 'listen, we have to investigate this request because maybe this person could present problems eventually,'" Dupuis said.

"The public interest commands that we address these questions seriously."

Dupuis indicated he plans to introduce the amendments in the fall.

Under existing legislation, said CTV Montreal's John Grant, gun licence applicants submit their completed application to a gun shop. It is then forwarded to police.

Dupuis' proposed amendments would require personal contact between police and applicants.

"He says the advantage now is your first contact with the system is your local police station, and they're not looking at a piece of paper, they're looking at a person. He thinks that's going to bring an extra bit of security to the system, and to all of us," Grant said.