Australia had long been viewed as a global exemplar in weapons legislation – the Bondi tragedy has exposed a much murkier truth.

On a spring day in April 1996, a single attacker using semi-automatic rifles killed 35 people in the historic site of Port Arthur.

That horrific event nearly thirty years ago, which led to some of the strictest firearm regulations in the world, can feel like a different era for many citizens.

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

Weapons Holdings at a Record High

A recent report revealed that there are now more than four million guns in private hands across the country – a figure that is almost double the amount from about 20 years ago.

This translates to approximately one firearm per seven citizens.

While Queensland has the largest arsenal, followed by NSW and Victoria, it is the island state and the NT that have the highest rate of firearm ownership.

The data also dispels the popular notion that guns are primarily held by rural residents.

Firearms are widespread in cities and their outskirts, with a large share located in major cities.

Critically, there are now more guns in fewer hands, with the registered individual possessing more than four firearms.

What Are Australia's Current Gun Laws?

Firearm regulations in Australia are not uniform across the country, with a disparate implementation of rules between different jurisdictions.

Generally, to obtain a gun licence, an individual must be over 18, deemed a "suitable candidate", pass a training and safety course, and provide a "legitimate need" for ownership.

The permitted justifications include sport shooting or animal management, competitive shooting, certain professional duties, and for collections.

However, significant shortcomings remain. For instance, young people in some states can have supervision 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 massive buyback of over 650,000 firearms.

Automatic and semi-automatic rifles were prohibited, and background checks alongside mandatory cooling-off periods for sales were introduced.

A key tenet of these reforms was the rejection of "personal protection" as a justifiable cause for gun ownership.

Fresh Calls for Regulatory Tightening

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

A national gun buyback scheme was unveiled, marking the first such effort since 1996.

Other proposals now under consideration include:

• Restricting the number of guns an individual can possess.
• Addressing "indefinite" licensing arrangements.
• Making formal citizenship a condition for firearm ownership.
• Strengthening intelligence sharing during licence application processes.

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

A Nuanced Discussion

These reform efforts 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 resources would be better spent combating radicalisation rather than changing laws for the vast majority of responsible owners.

Furthermore, a long-promised reform from 1996 – a national firearms register – remains incomplete, though it has now been listed as a urgent task.

A Painful Reminder

For campaigners, the Bondi attack is a stark warning that gun laws must keep pace with technological advances.

They argue that strengthening is needed to "address deficiencies" and protect public safety.

While mass shootings remain uncommon in Australia compared to some nations, the risk persists, and the challenge of firearms circulating illegally – through black markets – continues to pose a problem.

As one advocate noted, "It is regrettable that it requires such a tragedy to focus attention and listen."