Australia was long seen as a international standard-bearer in firearm regulation – the Bondi attack has revealed a far more complex situation.

On a weekend day in April 1996, a solitary shooter wielding semi-automatic rifles murdered 35 people in the Tasmanian tourist destination of Port Arthur.

That massacre nearly three decades ago, which ushered in some of the most stringent firearm regulations in the world, can appear as a different era for many citizens.

However, the shooting at Bondi this past Sunday, which left 15 dead, has revived the ghosts of the Tasmanian tragedy.

Gun Ownership at a Record High

A analysis revealed that there are now over four million weapons owned by civilians across the country – a figure that is almost double the amount from two decades prior.

This means approximately one firearm per seven citizens.

While Queensland has the largest arsenal, followed by New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria, it is the island state and the Northern Territory that have the most guns per person.

The data also challenges the popular notion that guns are primarily held by those in the countryside.

Weapons are common in cities and their outskirts, with a significant portion located in population centres.

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

Examining Australia's Existing Weapons Policies?

Firearm regulations in Australia are inconsistent across the country, with a disparate implementation of rules across states and territories.

Typically, to obtain a gun licence, an individual must be over 18, deemed a "responsible individual", pass a competency test, and provide a "valid purpose" for ownership.

The permitted justifications include hunting or culling, target or sport shooting, certain job-related needs, and for collections.

However, significant gaps remain. For instance, young people in some areas can have access to 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 massive buyback of over 650,000 firearms.

Automatic and semi-automatic rifles were outlawed, and security screenings 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.

New Push for Gun Law Reform

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

A country-wide firearm surrender program was announced, marking the first such effort since 1996.

Other proposals now under consideration include:

• Capping the number of guns an individual can have registered.
• Reforming "open-ended" licensing arrangements.
• Making permanent residency a requirement for firearm ownership.
• Strengthening intelligence sharing during background check processes.

There are also calls for periodic reassessments of existing licence holders, acknowledging that "situations evolve" over time.

A Complicated Debate

These reform efforts have sparked debate from some quarters.

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

They suggest that focus would be better spent addressing root causes rather than restricting lawful owners for the great bulk of responsible owners.

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

A Painful Reminder

For campaigners, the Bondi attack is a stark warning that regulations must be updated with technological advances.

They argue that strengthening is needed to "remain effective" and protect public safety.

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

As one advocate stated, "It is unfortunate that it needs such a tragedy to prompt action and take notice."