Australia was long seen as a global exemplar in firearm regulation – the Bondi tragedy has laid bare a more complicated situation.

On a Sunday afternoon in the year 1996, a solitary shooter using powerful firearms killed 35 people in the Tasmanian tourist destination of Port Arthur.

That horrific event nearly three decades ago, which ushered in some of the toughest gun laws in the world, can feel like a bygone age for many Australians.

However, the Bondi Beach attack this past Sunday, which left 15 dead, has rekindled memories of the 1996 shootings.

Weapons Holdings at a Unprecedented Level

A recent report revealed that there are now in excess of four million guns in private hands across the country – a figure that is nearly twice the amount from about 20 years ago.

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

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

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

Weapons are widespread in metropolitan and suburban areas, with a significant portion located in urban hubs.

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

What Are Australia's Existing Weapons Policies?

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

Typically, to secure a gun licence, an individual must be over 18, deemed a "responsible individual", pass a safety program, and provide a "valid purpose" for ownership.

The permitted justifications include recreational hunting or pest control, competitive shooting, certain professional duties, and for collections.

However, significant gaps remain. For instance, individuals under 18 in some jurisdictions can have supervision of a firearm from as young as early adolescence.

Following the Port Arthur massacre, a major rewrite of national gun laws was enacted, leading to a massive buyback of over 650,000 firearms.

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

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

Renewed Demands for Firearm Policy Changes

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

A country-wide firearm surrender program was proposed, marking the most significant such effort since 1996.

Other suggested measures now under consideration include:

• Limiting the number of guns an individual can possess.
• Addressing "open-ended" licensing arrangements.
• Making Australian citizenship a condition for firearm ownership.
• Strengthening intelligence sharing during background check processes.

There are also calls for regular reviews of existing licence holders, acknowledging that "people's circumstances can change" over time.

An Ongoing Controversy

These proposed changes have met with opposition from some quarters.

Pro-gun advocates maintain that imposing caps would not have stopped an attack driven by violent beliefs.

They suggest that focus would be better spent improving intelligence rather than changing laws for the overwhelming number of licensed individuals.

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

Tragedy as a Wake-Up Call

For reformers, the Bondi attack is a tragic indication that regulations must keep pace with technological advances.

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

While mass shootings remain relatively rare in Australia compared to some nations, the risk persists, and the legacy of firearms circulating illegally – through poor storage – continues to pose a problem.

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