The nation of Australia was widely regarded as a world leader in gun control – the Bondi attack has revealed a much murkier truth.

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

That national tragedy nearly thirty years ago, which led to some of the toughest firearm regulations in the world, can seem like a different era for many Australians.

However, the tragedy in Bondi this past Sunday, which claimed 15 lives, has revived the ghosts of the 1996 shootings.

Firearm Possession at a Unprecedented Level

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 translates to approximately one gun for every seven Australians.

While the state of Queensland has the largest arsenal, followed by New South Wales (NSW) and the state of Victoria, it is the island state and the Northern Territory that have the greatest density of weapons.

The data also challenges the widespread belief that guns are primarily held by those in the countryside.

Firearms are prevalent in metropolitan and suburban areas, with a large share located in population centres.

Critically, there are now weapons owned by a smaller group, with the average licence holder possessing over four firearms.

What Are Australia's Existing Weapons Policies?

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

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

The permitted justifications include sport shooting or animal management, target or sport shooting, certain professional duties, and for collections.

However, significant gaps remain. For instance, minors in some areas can have supervision 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 massive buyback of over 650,000 firearms.

Rapid-fire weapons were banned, and background checks alongside delays for sales were introduced.

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

New Push for Firearm Policy Changes

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

A weapons collection initiative was unveiled, marking the largest such effort since 1996.

Other proposals now under consideration include:

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

There are also calls for periodic reassessments 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 restricting ownership would not have averted an attack driven by radicalisation.

They suggest that focus would be better spent addressing root causes rather than changing laws for the overwhelming number of law-abiding citizens.

Furthermore, a key proposed reform from 1996 – a centralised weapon tracking system – remains incomplete, though it has now been listed as a key project.

Tragedy as a Wake-Up Call

For campaigners, the Bondi attack is a stark warning that gun laws must keep pace with changing times.

They argue that reform is needed to "remain effective" and safeguard communities.

While mass shootings remain infrequent in Australia compared to some nations, the threat persists, and the ongoing issue of guns in the wrong hands – through theft – continues to pose a problem.

As one advocate noted, "It's sad that it requires such a devastating event to prompt action and pay heed."