Australia had long been viewed as a global exemplar in firearm regulation – Bondi has exposed a much murkier situation.

On a spring day in the year 1996, a solitary shooter armed with rapid-fire weapons murdered 35 people in the Tasmanian tourist destination of Port Arthur.

That national tragedy nearly thirty years ago, which ushered in some of the strictest firearm regulations in the world, can feel like a different era for many residents.

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

Firearm Possession at a Historic Peak

A recent report revealed that there are now in excess of four million weapons owned by civilians across the country – a figure that is nearly twice the amount from two decades prior.

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

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

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

Firearms are common in metropolitan and suburban areas, with a sizable percentage located in urban hubs.

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

What Are Australia's Existing Weapons Policies?

Gun control laws in Australia are varied across the country, with a disparate implementation of rules between different jurisdictions.

Typically, to apply for a gun licence, an individual must be of legal age, deemed a "suitable candidate", pass a competency test, and provide a "genuine reason" for ownership.

The allowable purposes include sport shooting or animal management, marksmanship, certain occupational requirements, and for collections.

However, significant loopholes remain. For instance, individuals under 18 in some jurisdictions 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 voluntary hand-in of over 650,000 firearms.

Certain types of firearms were prohibited, and vetting procedures alongside mandatory cooling-off periods for sales were introduced.

A key tenet of these reforms was the rejection of "self-defence" as a justifiable cause for gun ownership.

Fresh Calls for Regulatory Tightening

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

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

Other planned reforms now under consideration include:

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

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

A Nuanced Discussion

These proposed changes 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 political capital would be better spent combating radicalisation rather than tightening regulations for the overwhelming number of responsible owners.

Furthermore, a critical 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 long-time advocates, the Bondi attack is a tragic indication that gun laws must keep pace with technological advances.

They argue that modernisation is needed to "keep up-to-date" and protect public safety.

While mass shootings remain relatively rare in Australia compared to some nations, the potential persists, and the ongoing issue of firearms circulating illegally – through theft – continues to pose a problem.

As one advocate reflected, "It's sad that it takes such a tragedy to get people to wake up and pay heed."