Australia was long seen as a global exemplar in gun control – the Bondi tragedy has exposed a far more complex situation.

On a spring day in 1996, a lone gunman armed with rapid-fire weapons murdered 35 people in the Australian tourist town of Port Arthur.

That horrific event nearly three decades ago, which sparked some of the most stringent weapons policies in the world, can appear as a different era for many citizens.

However, the tragedy in Bondi this past Sunday, which left 15 dead, has rekindled memories of the Tasmanian tragedy.

Gun Ownership at a Record High

A analysis revealed that there are now over four million guns in private hands across the country – a figure that is roughly two times the amount from about 20 years ago.

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

While Queensland has the highest number of legal firearms, followed by NSW and Victoria, it is Tasmania and the Northern Territory that have the highest rate of firearm ownership.

The data also challenges the popular notion that guns are primarily held by those in the countryside.

Firearms are widespread in cities and their outskirts, with a sizable percentage located in major cities.

Critically, there are now more guns in fewer hands, with the average licence holder possessing several firearms.

Understanding Australia's Present Firearm Regulations?

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

Generally, to secure a gun licence, an individual must be over 18, deemed a "fit and proper person", pass a safety program, and provide a "genuine reason" for ownership.

The accepted reasons include recreational hunting or pest control, marksmanship, certain job-related needs, and for collections.

However, significant loopholes remain. For instance, young people in some areas can have supervision of a firearm from as young as early adolescence.

Following the Port Arthur massacre, a sweeping overhaul of national gun laws was enacted, leading to a voluntary hand-in of over 650,000 firearms.

Rapid-fire weapons were outlawed, and vetting procedures alongside waiting periods for sales were introduced.

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

Renewed Demands for Gun Law Reform

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

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

Other proposals now under consideration include:

• Capping the number of guns an individual can legally own.
• Reforming "perpetual" licensing arrangements.
• Making formal citizenship a condition for firearm ownership.
• Strengthening intelligence sharing during vetting processes.

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

A Nuanced Discussion

These proposed changes have met with opposition from some quarters.

Pro-gun advocates argue 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 changing laws for the vast majority 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 Painful Reminder

For reformers, the Bondi attack is a stark warning that gun laws must keep pace with new threats.

They argue that strengthening is needed to "keep up-to-date" and prevent future tragedies.

While mass shootings remain infrequent in Australia compared to some nations, the potential persists, and the challenge of firearms circulating illegally – through poor storage – continues to pose a danger.

As one advocate reflected, "It is unfortunate that it needs such a tragedy to prompt action and pay heed."