The nation of Australia was long seen as a global exemplar in gun control – the Bondi attack has exposed a far more complex reality.

On a Sunday afternoon in April 1996, a solitary shooter using semi-automatic rifles took the lives of 35 people in the Tasmanian tourist destination of Port Arthur.

That massacre nearly three decades ago, which sparked some of the strictest gun laws in the world, can seem like a different era for many residents.

However, the tragedy in Bondi this past Sunday, which resulted in 15 fatalities, has revived the ghosts of the Port Arthur massacre.

Gun Ownership at a Historic Peak

A study released earlier this year revealed that there are now over four million weapons owned by civilians across the country – a figure that is roughly two times the amount from the late 1990s.

This means approximately a weapon for each small group of people.

While Queensland has the highest number of legal firearms, followed by New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria, it is the island state and the Northern Territory that have the highest rate of firearm ownership.

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

Weapons are widespread in urban centres, with a significant portion 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 Present Firearm Regulations?

Firearm regulations in Australia are varied across the country, with a mixed implementation of rules across states and territories.

Broadly speaking, to secure a gun licence, an individual must be of legal age, deemed a "fit and proper person", pass a competency test, and provide a "legitimate need" for ownership.

The allowable purposes include recreational hunting or pest control, competitive shooting, certain professional duties, and as a hobby.

However, significant gaps 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 comprehensive reform of national gun laws was enacted, leading to a voluntary hand-in of over 650,000 firearms.

Automatic and semi-automatic rifles were outlawed, and security screenings alongside mandatory cooling-off periods for sales were introduced.

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

Fresh Calls for Firearm Policy Changes

In the wake the Bondi shooting, political leaders were clear about the need to bolster gun laws.

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

Other proposals now under consideration include:

• Capping the number of guns an individual can legally own.
• Reforming "open-ended" licensing arrangements.
• Making Australian citizenship a requirement for firearm ownership.
• Strengthening 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 reform efforts have sparked debate from some quarters.

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

They suggest that resources would be better spent combating radicalisation rather than changing laws for the great bulk of responsible owners.

Furthermore, a key proposed reform from 1996 – a country-wide gun database – remains unfinished, though it has now been listed as a key project.

A Catalyst for Change

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

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

While mass shootings remain infrequent in Australia compared to some nations, the potential persists, and the ongoing issue of weapons being misused – through theft – continues to pose a challenge.

As one advocate stated, "It is unfortunate that it needs such a devastating event to prompt action and take notice."