The nation of Australia was long seen as a global exemplar in gun control – the Bondi attack has exposed a far more complex situation.

On a weekend day in April 1996, a lone gunman wielding rapid-fire weapons killed 35 people in the historic site of Port Arthur.

That horrific event nearly thirty years ago, which sparked some of the strictest firearm regulations in the world, can seem like a different era for many citizens.

However, the shooting at Bondi this past Sunday, which claimed 15 lives, has brought back painful recollections of the Tasmanian tragedy.

Firearm Possession at a Record High

A analysis revealed that there are now over four million weapons owned by civilians across the country – a figure that is roughly two times the amount from the late 1990s.

This translates to approximately one firearm per seven citizens.

While Queensland has the most registered guns, followed by New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria, it is Tasmania and the NT that have the greatest density of weapons.

The data also contradicts the widespread belief that guns are primarily held by those in the countryside.

Guns are common in cities and their outskirts, with a large share located in population centres.

Critically, there are now more guns in fewer hands, with the average licence holder possessing over four firearms.

Examining Australia's Current Gun Laws?

Gun control laws in Australia are inconsistent across the country, with a mixed implementation of rules across states and territories.

Typically, to apply for a gun licence, an individual must be an adult, deemed a "suitable candidate", pass a safety program, and provide a "legitimate need" for ownership.

The allowable purposes include hunting or culling, competitive shooting, certain job-related needs, and collecting.

However, significant shortcomings remain. For instance, young people in some jurisdictions can have access to a firearm from as young as pre-teen age.

Following the Port Arthur massacre, a major rewrite of national gun laws was enacted, leading to a voluntary hand-in of over 650,000 firearms.

Rapid-fire weapons were outlawed, and security screenings alongside waiting periods for sales were introduced.

A key tenet of these reforms was the elimination of "personal protection" as a justifiable cause for gun ownership.

Renewed Demands for Gun Law Reform

In the hours following the Bondi shooting, political leaders were forceful about the need to tighten gun laws.

A weapons collection initiative was unveiled, marking the most significant such effort since 1996.

Other planned reforms now under consideration include:

• Capping the number of guns an individual can possess.
• Ending "open-ended" licensing arrangements.
• Making Australian citizenship a requirement for firearm ownership.
• Improving intelligence sharing during vetting processes.

There are also calls for regular reviews of existing licence holders, acknowledging that "situations evolve" over time.

An Ongoing Controversy

These proposed changes have drawn criticism from some quarters.

Pro-gun advocates maintain that restricting ownership would not have averted an attack driven by violent beliefs.

They suggest that focus would be better spent addressing root causes rather than restricting lawful owners for the overwhelming number of responsible owners.

Furthermore, a key proposed reform from 1996 – a national firearms register – remains incomplete, though it has now been listed as a priority.

A Painful Reminder

For campaigners, the Bondi attack is a tragic indication that policies must keep pace with new threats.

They argue that strengthening is needed to "remain effective" and protect public safety.

While mass shootings remain infrequent in Australia compared to some nations, the risk persists, and the ongoing issue of firearms circulating illegally – through poor storage – continues to pose a challenge.

As one advocate noted, "It's sad that it requires such a loss of life to get people to wake up and take notice."