Australia had long been viewed as a international standard-bearer in weapons legislation – the Bondi tragedy has exposed a far more complex reality.

On a weekend day in the year 1996, a solitary shooter using powerful firearms killed 35 people in the historic site of Port Arthur.

That horrific event nearly thirty years ago, which sparked some of the most stringent gun laws in the world, can feel like a distant memory for many residents.

However, the tragedy in Bondi this past Sunday, which left 15 dead, has revived the ghosts of the Port Arthur massacre.

Gun Ownership at a Historic Peak

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 means approximately one firearm per seven citizens.

While Queensland has the most registered guns, followed by NSW and the state of Victoria, it is Tasmania and the Northern Territory that have the most guns per person.

The data also dispels the widespread belief that guns are primarily held by rural residents.

Firearms are prevalent in cities and their outskirts, with a large share located in urban hubs.

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

What Are Australia's Present Firearm Regulations?

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 of legal age, deemed a "suitable candidate", pass a competency test, and provide a "genuine reason" for ownership.

The permitted justifications include hunting or culling, competitive shooting, certain occupational requirements, and as a hobby.

However, significant shortcomings remain. For instance, young people in some areas can have access to a firearm from as young as 10 or 12 years old.

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.

Certain types of firearms were prohibited, and vetting procedures alongside delays for sales were introduced.

A key tenet of these reforms was the rejection of "home security" as a valid reason for gun ownership.

Fresh Calls for Firearm Policy Changes

In the wake the Bondi shooting, political leaders were clear about the need to strengthen gun laws.

A national gun buyback scheme was proposed, marking the largest such effort since 1996.

Other proposals now under consideration include:

• Limiting the number of guns an individual can possess.
• Ending "perpetual" licensing arrangements.
• Making permanent residency 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 Nuanced Discussion

These swift actions have met with opposition from some quarters.

Pro-gun advocates contend that limiting gun numbers would not have averted an attack driven by radicalisation.

They suggest that political capital would be better spent addressing root causes rather than changing laws for the vast majority of responsible owners.

Furthermore, a long-promised reform from 1996 – a centralised weapon tracking system – remains unfinished, though it has now been listed as a urgent task.

A Catalyst for Change

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

They argue that modernisation is needed to "keep up-to-date" and prevent future tragedies.

While mass shootings remain uncommon in Australia compared to some nations, the risk persists, and the legacy of weapons being misused – through poor storage – continues to pose a problem.

As one advocate noted, "It is regrettable that it requires such a devastating event to get people to wake up and listen."