The nation of Australia was long seen as a international standard-bearer in weapons legislation – the Bondi tragedy has laid bare a much murkier truth.

On a Sunday afternoon in 1996, a single attacker armed with semi-automatic rifles took the lives of 35 people in the Australian tourist town of Port Arthur.

That national tragedy nearly three decades ago, which sparked some of the strictest firearm regulations in the world, can seem like a different era for many Australians.

However, the shooting at Bondi this past Sunday, which resulted in 15 fatalities, has revived the ghosts of the 1996 shootings.

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 roughly two times the amount from two decades prior.

This translates to approximately one gun for every seven Australians.

While the state of Queensland has the most registered guns, followed by NSW and the state of Victoria, it is Tasmania and the Northern Territory that have the most guns per person.

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

Weapons are common in urban centres, with a significant portion located in urban hubs.

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

Understanding Australia's Existing Weapons Policies?

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

Typically, to obtain a gun licence, an individual must be an adult, deemed a "suitable candidate", pass a training and safety course, and provide a "genuine reason" for ownership.

The permitted justifications include hunting or culling, target or sport shooting, certain occupational requirements, and as a hobby.

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

Rapid-fire weapons were prohibited, and vetting procedures alongside delays for sales were introduced.

A key tenet of these reforms was the elimination of "self-defence" as a acceptable grounds for gun ownership.

Renewed Demands for Gun Law Reform

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

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

Other planned reforms now under consideration include:

• Capping the number of guns an individual can have registered.
• Addressing "perpetual" licensing arrangements.
• Making Australian citizenship a requirement for firearm ownership.
• Enhancing intelligence sharing during licence application processes.

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

A Complicated Debate

These reform efforts have sparked debate from some quarters.

Pro-gun advocates contend that restricting ownership would not have averted an attack driven by radicalisation.

They suggest that focus would be better spent combating radicalisation rather than changing laws for the vast majority of law-abiding citizens.

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

A Painful Reminder

For long-time advocates, the Bondi attack is a tragic indication that regulations must evolve with technological advances.

They argue that modernisation is needed to "address deficiencies" and safeguard communities.

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

As one advocate stated, "It is regrettable that it needs such a loss of life to focus attention and take notice."