Australia had long been viewed as a international standard-bearer in firearm regulation – the Bondi attack has laid bare a more complicated truth.

On a spring day in 1996, a single attacker armed with powerful firearms murdered 35 people in the Australian tourist town of Port Arthur.

That national tragedy nearly three decades ago, which led to some of the most stringent gun laws in the world, can feel like a distant memory for many citizens.

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

Gun Ownership at a Unprecedented Level

A recent report revealed that there are now over four million guns in private hands across the country – a figure that is roughly two times the amount from the late 1990s.

This translates to approximately one firearm per seven citizens.

While the state of Queensland has the highest number of legal firearms, followed by New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria, it is the island state and the NT that have the most guns per person.

The data also challenges the popular notion that guns are mostly possessed by people in regional areas.

Guns are common in urban centres, with a large share located in urban hubs.

Critically, there are now weapons owned by a smaller group, with the average licence holder possessing several firearms.

Understanding Australia's Existing Weapons Policies?

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 of legal age, deemed a "responsible individual", pass a safety program, and provide a "legitimate need" for ownership.

The permitted justifications include hunting or culling, target or sport shooting, certain job-related needs, and as a hobby.

However, significant shortcomings remain. For instance, minors in some areas can have use of a firearm from as young as 10 or 12 years old.

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.

Automatic and semi-automatic rifles were outlawed, and background checks alongside delays for sales were introduced.

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

Fresh Calls for Firearm Policy Changes

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

A weapons collection initiative was proposed, marking the first such effort since 1996.

Other proposals now under consideration include:

• Capping the number of guns an individual can have registered.
• Reforming "perpetual" licensing arrangements.
• Making formal citizenship a prerequisite for firearm ownership.
• Strengthening 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 proposed changes have drawn criticism from some quarters.

Pro-gun advocates argue that imposing caps would not have averted an attack driven by radicalisation.

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

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

A Catalyst for Change

For campaigners, the Bondi attack is a stark warning that regulations must keep pace with changing times.

They argue that reform is needed to "keep up-to-date" and safeguard communities.

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

As one advocate noted, "It's sad that it takes such a tragedy to focus attention and pay heed."