Australia was widely regarded as a world leader in gun control – Bondi has laid bare a more complicated situation.

On a spring day in the year 1996, a lone gunman using semi-automatic rifles took the lives of 35 people in the Tasmanian tourist destination of Port Arthur.

That massacre nearly thirty years ago, which sparked some of the strictest weapons policies 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 rekindled memories of the Tasmanian tragedy.

Weapons Holdings at a Record High

A analysis revealed that there are now more than four million weapons owned by civilians across the country – a figure that is roughly two times the amount from two decades prior.

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

While the state of Queensland has the most registered guns, followed by 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 dispels the common view that guns are mostly possessed by people in regional areas.

Guns are prevalent in metropolitan and suburban areas, with a sizable percentage located in population centres.

Critically, there are now more guns in fewer hands, with the typical gun owner possessing more than four firearms.

Understanding Australia's Present Firearm Regulations?

Firearm regulations in Australia are varied across the country, with a patchwork implementation of rules between different jurisdictions.

Broadly speaking, to obtain a gun licence, an individual must be an adult, deemed a "responsible individual", pass a safety program, and provide a "valid purpose" for ownership.

The accepted reasons include recreational hunting or pest control, target or sport shooting, certain occupational requirements, and as a hobby.

However, significant gaps remain. For instance, minors in some jurisdictions can have access to a firearm from as young as early adolescence.

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

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

A key tenet of these reforms was the rejection of "self-defence" as a justifiable cause for gun ownership.

New Push for Gun Law Reform

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

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

Other suggested measures now under consideration include:

• Limiting the number of guns an individual can possess.
• Ending "open-ended" licensing arrangements.
• Making formal citizenship a requirement for firearm ownership.
• Improving intelligence sharing during licence application processes.

There are also calls for periodic reassessments of existing licence holders, acknowledging that "individuals can be radicalised" over time.

An Ongoing Controversy

These proposed changes have drawn criticism from some quarters.

Pro-gun advocates maintain that limiting gun numbers would not have averted an attack driven by extremist ideology.

They suggest that resources would be better spent combating radicalisation rather than restricting lawful owners for the vast majority of responsible owners.

Furthermore, a critical reform from 1996 – a country-wide gun database – remains incomplete, though it has now been listed as a priority.

A Catalyst for Change

For long-time advocates, the Bondi attack is a horrific reminder that policies must be updated with technological advances.

They argue that reform is needed to "keep up-to-date" and safeguard communities.

While mass shootings remain uncommon in Australia compared to some nations, the potential persists, and the ongoing issue of firearms circulating illegally – through black markets – continues to pose a challenge.

As one advocate reflected, "It's sad that it needs such a devastating event to focus attention and take notice."