The nation of Australia was long seen as a global exemplar in gun control – Bondi has revealed a much murkier reality.

On a Sunday afternoon in 1996, a solitary shooter wielding powerful firearms took the lives of 35 people in the Tasmanian tourist destination of Port Arthur.

That national tragedy nearly three decades ago, which ushered in some of the strictest weapons policies 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 rekindled memories of the Tasmanian tragedy.

Firearm Possession at a Record High

A recent report revealed that there are now over four million weapons owned by civilians across the country – a figure that is nearly twice the amount from the late 1990s.

This translates to approximately a weapon for each small group of people.

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

The data also challenges the common view that guns are primarily held by people in regional areas.

Weapons are widespread in cities and their outskirts, with a large share located in urban hubs.

Critically, there are now firearms concentrated among fewer owners, with the average licence holder possessing more than four firearms.

Examining Australia's Present Firearm Regulations?

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

Typically, to apply for a gun licence, an individual must be over 18, deemed a "fit and proper person", pass a competency test, and provide a "legitimate need" for ownership.

The permitted justifications include sport shooting or animal management, target or sport shooting, certain professional duties, and for collections.

However, significant shortcomings remain. For instance, individuals under 18 in some states can have use of a firearm from as young as early adolescence.

Following the Port Arthur massacre, a sweeping overhaul of national gun laws was enacted, leading to a large-scale surrender scheme of over 650,000 firearms.

Rapid-fire weapons were prohibited, and background checks alongside mandatory cooling-off periods for sales were introduced.

A key tenet of these reforms was the elimination of "self-defence" as a justifiable cause for gun ownership.

Renewed Demands for Gun Law Reform

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

A national gun buyback scheme was announced, marking the first such effort since 1996.

Other proposals now under consideration include:

• Restricting the number of guns an individual can legally own.
• Addressing "perpetual" licensing arrangements.
• Making permanent residency a requirement for firearm ownership.
• Strengthening intelligence sharing during licence application processes.

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

A Complicated Debate

These swift actions have drawn criticism from some quarters.

Pro-gun advocates maintain that restricting ownership would not have stopped an attack driven by extremist ideology.

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

Furthermore, a critical reform from 1996 – a centralised weapon tracking system – remains incomplete, though it has now been listed as a key project.

A Painful Reminder

For campaigners, the Bondi attack is a tragic indication that gun laws must be updated with technological advances.

They argue that modernisation is needed to "remain effective" and safeguard communities.

While mass shootings remain relatively rare in Australia compared to some nations, the threat persists, and the legacy of guns in the wrong hands – through poor storage – continues to pose a problem.

As one advocate stated, "It is regrettable that it takes such a loss of life to focus attention and take notice."