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

On a spring day in 1996, a lone gunman wielding powerful firearms murdered 35 people in the Australian tourist town of Port Arthur.

That national tragedy nearly thirty years ago, which ushered in some of the strictest weapons policies in the world, can seem like a different era for many citizens.

However, the tragedy in Bondi this past Sunday, which left 15 dead, has brought back painful recollections of the Tasmanian tragedy.

Weapons Holdings at a Record High

A analysis revealed that there are now in excess of four million guns in private hands across the country – a figure that is roughly two times the amount from two decades prior.

This means approximately one gun for every seven Australians.

While the state of Queensland has the highest number of legal firearms, followed by New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria, it is Tasmania and the Northern Territory that have the greatest density of weapons.

The data also contradicts the common view that guns are mainly owned by people in regional areas.

Weapons are prevalent in cities and their outskirts, with a sizable percentage located in population centres.

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

Examining Australia's Current Gun Laws?

Gun control laws in Australia are varied across the country, with a disparate implementation of rules in various regions.

Broadly speaking, to obtain a gun licence, an individual must be an adult, deemed a "suitable candidate", pass a competency test, and provide a "valid purpose" for ownership.

The accepted reasons include recreational hunting or pest control, target or sport shooting, certain occupational requirements, and collecting.

However, significant loopholes remain. For instance, young people in some areas 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 delays for sales were introduced.

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

Fresh Calls for Firearm Policy Changes

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

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

Other proposals now under consideration include:

• Capping the number of guns an individual can legally own.
• Addressing "open-ended" licensing arrangements.
• Making formal 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 "situations evolve" over time.

An Ongoing Controversy

These swift actions have sparked debate from some quarters.

Pro-gun advocates contend that limiting gun numbers would not have prevented an attack driven by violent beliefs.

They suggest that focus would be better spent combating radicalisation rather than tightening regulations for the overwhelming number of law-abiding citizens.

Furthermore, a key proposed reform from 1996 – a country-wide gun database – remains incomplete, though it has now been listed as a key project.

A Catalyst for Change

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

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

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

As one advocate stated, "It's sad that it takes such a devastating event to prompt action and pay heed."