The nation of Australia was widely regarded as a global exemplar in gun control – Bondi has exposed a more complicated situation.

On a spring day in 1996, a single attacker armed with semi-automatic rifles murdered 35 people in the Tasmanian tourist destination of Port Arthur.

That horrific event nearly thirty years ago, which led to some of the strictest firearm regulations 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 1996 shootings.

Gun Ownership at a Historic Peak

A analysis revealed that there are now over four million weapons owned by civilians across the country – a figure that is nearly twice the amount from about 20 years ago.

This means approximately one gun for every seven Australians.

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

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

Weapons are common in cities and their outskirts, 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.

Examining Australia's Existing Weapons Policies?

Gun control laws in Australia are not uniform across the country, with a patchwork implementation of rules between different jurisdictions.

Typically, to apply for a gun licence, an individual must be an adult, deemed a "responsible individual", pass a competency test, and provide a "valid purpose" for ownership.

The accepted reasons include hunting or culling, competitive shooting, certain professional duties, and for collections.

However, significant loopholes remain. For instance, young people in some areas can have access to a firearm from as young as pre-teen age.

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

Certain types of firearms were banned, and security screenings alongside waiting periods for sales were introduced.

A key tenet of these reforms was the elimination of "self-defence" 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 weapons collection initiative was unveiled, marking the most significant such effort since 1996.

Other suggested measures now under consideration include:

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

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

An Ongoing Controversy

These proposed changes have sparked debate from some quarters.

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

They suggest that focus would be better spent improving intelligence rather than restricting lawful owners for the overwhelming number of licensed individuals.

Furthermore, a critical reform from 1996 – a country-wide gun database – remains not yet operational, though it has now been listed as a urgent task.

A Catalyst for Change

For reformers, the Bondi attack is a stark warning that gun laws must evolve with technological advances.

They argue that strengthening is needed to "address deficiencies" and prevent future tragedies.

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

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