When evaluating an individual for a gun license, a psychiatrist should focus on several key areas to ensure the safety of the individual and the community:

1. Mental Stability and History of Mental Illness: The psychiatrist should assess any past or present mental health conditions. This includes but is not limited to depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or any personality disorders. The focus would be on whether these conditions could potentially lead to harmful behavior towards oneself or others.
2. Risk of Self-Harm or Suicide: A thorough evaluation of the individual’s risk for suicide or self-harm is crucial. This involves assessing current stressors, past suicidal ideation or attempts, and the presence of protective factors against suicide.
3. Risk of Harm to Others: The psychiatrist should look for any indicators of violence or aggression, including past behavior, threats, or criminal history. This includes any documented incidents where the individual was a danger to others due to mental health issues.
4. Substance Abuse: History of substance abuse or current substance use can significantly affect judgment, impulse control, and overall behavior, potentially increasing the risk associated with firearm ownership.
5. Current Treatment and Compliance: If the individual is currently under treatment for any mental health condition, the psychiatrist should evaluate their compliance with treatment, effectiveness of current medications, and stability of their condition.
6. Psychological Testing: Depending on the jurisdiction and specific circumstances, psychological tests might be used to assess various aspects like personality traits, cognitive functions, or specific mental health conditions. These tests help in quantifying and standardizing some aspects of the evaluation.
7. Capacity to Handle Firearms Safely: While not strictly within the domain of psychology, ensuring that the individual understands firearm safety could be discussed, especially in jurisdictions where this might be relevant. This includes understanding the responsibility that comes with gun ownership.
8. Legal and Ethical Considerations: The psychiatrist must be aware of and comply with local, state, and federal laws regarding firearm ownership and mental health. This includes understanding what constitutes a disqualifying mental health condition under law.
9. Cultural and Social Context: Understanding the cultural context of firearm ownership for the individual might help in assessing motivations for gun ownership, which could range from sport to self-defense, influencing the risk assessment.
10. Documentation and Reporting: If there are concerns, the psychiatrist might need to document these thoroughly, potentially leading to a recommendation against gun ownership or requiring periodic re-evaluations.

The evaluation should be conducted with sensitivity to avoid stigmatizing mental health issues broadly but should be rigorous enough to identify genuine risks. The psychiatrist should also consider the ethical implications of their evaluation, ensuring it does not discriminate unfairly based on mental health diagnoses but focuses on actual risk behaviors or potential.

Remember, the approach might differ based on local laws and regulations. For instance, some places might have specific criteria or forms that need to be filled out, while others might give more discretion to the evaluating psychiatrist.