The nation of Australia was long seen as a global exemplar in firearm regulation – the Bondi tragedy has revealed a much murkier situation.

On a spring day in 1996, a solitary shooter using powerful firearms killed 35 people in the Tasmanian tourist destination of Port Arthur.

That horrific event nearly thirty years ago, which ushered in some of the toughest weapons policies in the world, can feel like a different era for many citizens.

However, the shooting at Bondi this past Sunday, which left 15 dead, has revived the ghosts of the 1996 shootings.

Firearm Possession at a Historic Peak

A recent report revealed that there are now more than four million privately-owned firearms across the country – a figure that is roughly two times the amount from the late 1990s.

This translates to approximately one firearm per seven citizens.

While the state of Queensland has the most registered guns, followed by New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria, it is the island state and the Northern Territory that have the most guns per person.

The data also contradicts the common view that guns are mainly owned by people in regional areas.

Weapons are common in metropolitan and suburban areas, with a sizable percentage located in major cities.

Critically, there are now more guns in fewer hands, with the average licence holder possessing several firearms.

What Are Australia's Current Gun Laws?

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

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

The permitted justifications include hunting or culling, competitive shooting, certain professional duties, and as a hobby.

However, significant gaps remain. For instance, individuals under 18 in some areas can have supervision 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.

Automatic and semi-automatic rifles were prohibited, and background checks alongside delays for sales were introduced.

A key tenet of these reforms was the removal of "home security" as a valid reason for gun ownership.

Renewed Demands for Gun Law Reform

In the wake the Bondi shooting, political leaders were unequivocal about the need to tighten gun laws.

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

Other planned reforms now under consideration include:

• Restricting the number of guns an individual can legally own.
• Reforming "open-ended" licensing arrangements.
• Making formal citizenship a condition for firearm ownership.
• Improving intelligence sharing during vetting processes.

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

A Complicated Debate

These proposed changes have drawn criticism from some quarters.

Pro-gun advocates contend that limiting gun numbers would not have averted an attack driven by violent beliefs.

They suggest that focus would be better spent addressing root causes rather than restricting lawful owners for the great bulk of licensed individuals.

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.

Tragedy as a Wake-Up Call

For campaigners, the Bondi attack is a stark warning that regulations must be updated with changing times.

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

While mass shootings remain infrequent in Australia compared to some nations, the threat persists, and the challenge of firearms circulating illegally – through theft – continues to pose a problem.

As one advocate noted, "It is unfortunate that it needs such a tragedy to focus attention and take notice."