BALTIMORE (WJZ) — With the battle over gun control raging at the national and state level, a task force in Maryland is finding ways to improve our system.

Monique Griego has more on their report.

The battle over gun control is a heated and growing debate across the country. Now as national and state leaders are proposing legislation to limit access to certain firearms, a task force in Maryland released a report on the issue of mental illness and the access to firearms.

They found no direct link, saying several factors — including substance abuse — play a key role.

The task force, which met Thursday, did make several recommendations in their report, including the need for additional research and more training for health professionals and police. It also lists possible policy changes such as the seizing of firearms from dangerous individuals and mandatory reporting of threats.

“If someone makes a credible threat–whether it be to a health care provider an educator or other–that should be reported to law enforcement and law enforcement should have to investigate that,” saidPatrick Dooley, State Task Force.

The group’s job is now to find ways to make these changes, which they hope will help keep people safe from gun violence.

“It’s one thing to just make a recommendation. It’s another to identify the steps that need to be taken in order to implement those recommendations,” said Dooley.

The task force has already sent its report to the governor. Some of the changes they’re recommending could require legislation.