Australia had long been viewed as a international standard-bearer in gun control – the Bondi attack has exposed a far more complex reality.

On a spring day in April 1996, a solitary shooter armed with rapid-fire weapons murdered 35 people in the Tasmanian tourist destination of Port Arthur.

That national tragedy nearly thirty years ago, which sparked some of the toughest firearm regulations in the world, can appear as a distant memory for many residents.

However, the shooting at Bondi this past Sunday, which left 15 dead, has rekindled memories of the Tasmanian tragedy.

Firearm Possession at a Record High

A analysis revealed that there are now more than four million guns in private hands across the country – a figure that is roughly two times the amount from about 20 years ago.

This equates to approximately one firearm per seven citizens.

While Queensland has the highest number of legal firearms, followed by NSW and Victoria, it is the island state and the Northern Territory that have the highest rate of firearm ownership.

The data also dispels the widespread belief that guns are mostly possessed by those in the countryside.

Weapons are common in metropolitan and suburban areas, with a sizable percentage located in urban hubs.

Critically, there are now firearms concentrated among fewer owners, with the typical gun owner possessing several firearms.

What Are Australia's Existing Weapons Policies?

Firearm regulations in Australia are inconsistent across the country, with a disparate implementation of rules between different jurisdictions.

Broadly speaking, to secure a gun licence, an individual must be an adult, deemed a "fit and proper person", pass a safety program, and provide a "valid purpose" for ownership.

The allowable purposes include hunting or culling, target or sport shooting, certain professional duties, and as a hobby.

However, significant loopholes remain. For instance, minors in some areas can have use of a firearm from as young as pre-teen age.

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

Rapid-fire weapons were banned, and vetting procedures alongside mandatory cooling-off periods for sales were introduced.

A key tenet of these reforms was the rejection of "personal protection" as a acceptable grounds for gun ownership.

Renewed Demands for Gun Law Reform

In the immediate aftermath the Bondi shooting, political leaders were clear about the need to bolster gun laws.

A national gun buyback scheme was unveiled, marking the most significant such effort since 1996.

Other proposals now under consideration include:

• Restricting the number of guns an individual can legally own.
• Reforming "perpetual" licensing arrangements.
• Making Australian citizenship a requirement for firearm ownership.
• Improving intelligence sharing during background check processes.

There are also calls for periodic reassessments of existing licence holders, acknowledging that "individuals can be radicalised" over time.

A Complicated Debate

These reform efforts have drawn criticism from some quarters.

Pro-gun advocates maintain that limiting gun numbers would not have prevented an attack driven by extremist ideology.

They suggest that focus would be better spent improving intelligence rather than restricting lawful owners for the great bulk of responsible owners.

Furthermore, a key proposed reform from 1996 – a country-wide gun database – remains not yet operational, though it has now been listed as a priority.

A Catalyst for Change

For long-time advocates, the Bondi attack is a horrific reminder that policies must be updated with technological advances.

They argue that reform is needed to "address deficiencies" and prevent future tragedies.

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

As one advocate reflected, "It is regrettable that it requires such a devastating event to focus attention and listen."