Australia had long been viewed as a global exemplar in firearm regulation – the Bondi attack has exposed a more complicated reality.

On a Sunday afternoon in 1996, a single attacker armed with rapid-fire weapons killed 35 people in the historic site of Port Arthur.

That massacre nearly thirty years ago, which ushered in some of the strictest gun laws in the world, can appear as a bygone age for many Australians.

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

Weapons Holdings at a Historic Peak

A analysis 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 the late 1990s.

This translates to approximately one gun for every seven Australians.

While the state of Queensland has the highest number of legal firearms, followed by NSW and the state of Victoria, it is Tasmania and the NT that have the highest rate of firearm ownership.

The data also contradicts the widespread belief that guns are primarily held by people in regional areas.

Guns are common in metropolitan and suburban areas, with a large share located in major cities.

Critically, there are now more guns in fewer hands, with the typical gun owner possessing several firearms.

Examining Australia's Existing Weapons Policies?

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

Broadly speaking, to secure a gun licence, an individual must be over 18, deemed a "fit and proper person", pass a training and safety course, and provide a "genuine reason" for ownership.

The allowable purposes include sport shooting or animal management, competitive shooting, certain occupational requirements, and as a hobby.

However, significant gaps remain. For instance, young people in some jurisdictions can have supervision of a firearm from as young as pre-teen age.

Following the Port Arthur massacre, a major rewrite of national gun laws was enacted, leading to a massive buyback of over 650,000 firearms.

Rapid-fire weapons were outlawed, and security screenings alongside delays 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 Regulatory Tightening

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

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

Other planned reforms now under consideration include:

• Restricting the number of guns an individual can have registered.
• Addressing "perpetual" licensing arrangements.
• Making Australian citizenship a condition for firearm ownership.
• Strengthening intelligence sharing during vetting processes.

There are also calls for ongoing evaluations of existing licence holders, acknowledging that "individuals can be radicalised" over time.

A Nuanced Discussion

These reform efforts have drawn criticism from some quarters.

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

They suggest that resources would be better spent improving intelligence rather than tightening regulations for the vast majority of responsible owners.

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

A Painful Reminder

For reformers, the Bondi attack is a horrific reminder that policies must evolve with technological advances.

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

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

As one advocate reflected, "It is regrettable that it needs such a devastating event to focus attention and take notice."