Australia had long been viewed as a global exemplar in firearm regulation – the Bondi attack has exposed a far more complex truth.

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

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

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

Firearm Possession at a Record High

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

This translates to approximately a weapon for each small group of people.

While the state of Queensland has the most registered guns, followed by NSW and Victoria, it is Tasmania and the NT that have the greatest density of weapons.

The data also contradicts the common view that guns are mostly possessed by rural residents.

Firearms are prevalent in metropolitan and suburban areas, with a significant portion located in urban hubs.

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

Understanding Australia's Present Firearm Regulations?

Gun control laws in Australia are not uniform across the country, with a patchwork implementation of rules in various regions.

Typically, to secure 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 hunting or culling, competitive shooting, certain occupational requirements, and collecting.

However, significant shortcomings remain. For instance, young people in some states 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 large-scale surrender scheme of over 650,000 firearms.

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

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

Fresh Calls for Gun Law Reform

In the immediate aftermath the Bondi shooting, political leaders were clear about the need to tighten gun laws.

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

Other suggested measures now under consideration include:

• Capping the number of guns an individual can have registered.
• Ending "indefinite" licensing arrangements.
• Making permanent residency a requirement for firearm ownership.
• Strengthening intelligence sharing during background check processes.

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

A Complicated Debate

These reform efforts have drawn criticism from some quarters.

Pro-gun advocates contend that restricting ownership would not have prevented an attack driven by extremist ideology.

They suggest that focus would be better spent combating radicalisation 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 incomplete, though it has now been listed as a urgent task.

A Painful Reminder

For long-time advocates, the Bondi attack is a stark warning that gun laws must be updated with new threats.

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

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

As one advocate reflected, "It is regrettable that it requires such a loss of life to focus attention and pay heed."