Australia had long been viewed as a global exemplar in gun control – Bondi has revealed a more complicated situation.

On a spring day in the year 1996, a solitary shooter using powerful firearms took the lives of 35 people in the Australian tourist town of Port Arthur.

That national tragedy nearly thirty years ago, which sparked some of the strictest gun laws in the world, can feel like a different era for many Australians.

However, the shooting at Bondi this past Sunday, which claimed 15 lives, has rekindled memories of the Tasmanian tragedy.

Firearm Possession at a Record High

A study released earlier this year 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 means approximately one firearm per seven citizens.

While the state of Queensland has the largest arsenal, followed by NSW and the state of Victoria, it is the island state and the NT that have the greatest density of weapons.

The data also dispels the popular notion that guns are mostly possessed by rural residents.

Firearms are prevalent in urban centres, with a sizable percentage located in urban hubs.

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

Understanding Australia's Present Firearm Regulations?

Weapons legislation in Australia are not uniform across the country, with a mixed implementation of rules across states and territories.

Broadly speaking, to apply for a gun licence, an individual must be of legal age, deemed a "responsible individual", pass a safety program, and provide a "valid purpose" for ownership.

The permitted justifications include sport shooting or animal management, competitive shooting, certain occupational requirements, and collecting.

However, significant loopholes remain. For instance, minors in some states can have supervision of a firearm from as young as 10 or 12 years old.

Following the Port Arthur massacre, a major rewrite of national gun laws was enacted, leading to a voluntary hand-in of over 650,000 firearms.

Certain types of firearms were outlawed, and security screenings alongside waiting periods for sales were introduced.

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

Fresh Calls for Gun Law Reform

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

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

Other planned reforms now under consideration include:

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

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

An Ongoing Controversy

These reform efforts have sparked debate from some quarters.

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

They suggest that resources would be better spent addressing root causes rather than changing laws for the overwhelming number of responsible owners.

Furthermore, a key proposed reform from 1996 – a centralised weapon tracking system – remains not yet operational, though it has now been listed as a priority.

A Painful Reminder

For campaigners, the Bondi attack is a horrific reminder that gun laws must be updated with changing times.

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

While mass shootings remain uncommon in Australia compared to some nations, the threat persists, and the ongoing issue of weapons being misused – through black markets – continues to pose a danger.

As one advocate noted, "It's sad that it requires such a devastating event to focus attention and listen."