Australia was long seen as a world leader in gun control – the Bondi tragedy has laid bare a more complicated truth.

On a weekend day in 1996, a solitary shooter armed with rapid-fire weapons took the lives of 35 people in the Tasmanian tourist destination of Port Arthur.

That massacre nearly thirty years ago, which ushered in some of the most stringent weapons policies in the world, can feel like a distant memory for many Australians.

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

Weapons Holdings at a Unprecedented Level

A study released earlier this year revealed that there are now over four million guns in private hands across the country – a figure that is almost double the amount from two decades prior.

This means 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 Tasmania and the Northern Territory that have the most guns per person.

The data also contradicts the widespread belief that guns are mainly owned by people in regional areas.

Firearms are prevalent in metropolitan and suburban areas, with a large share located in population centres.

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

Examining Australia's Current Gun Laws?

Firearm regulations in Australia are not uniform across the country, with a disparate implementation of rules across states and territories.

Generally, to apply for a gun licence, an individual must be over 18, deemed a "responsible individual", pass a training and safety course, and provide a "legitimate need" for ownership.

The accepted reasons include recreational hunting or pest control, marksmanship, certain professional duties, and as a hobby.

However, significant gaps remain. For instance, individuals under 18 in some states can have use of 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 voluntary hand-in of over 650,000 firearms.

Rapid-fire weapons were prohibited, and vetting procedures alongside delays for sales were introduced.

A key tenet of these reforms was the elimination of "home security" as a valid reason for gun ownership.

New Push for Firearm Policy Changes

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

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

Other planned reforms now under consideration include:

• Limiting the number of guns an individual can have registered.
• Addressing "perpetual" 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 "situations evolve" over time.

An Ongoing Controversy

These reform efforts have sparked debate from some quarters.

Pro-gun advocates contend that limiting gun numbers would not have averted an attack driven by radicalisation.

They suggest that focus would be better spent combating radicalisation rather than changing laws for the vast majority of licensed individuals.

Furthermore, a long-promised reform from 1996 – a national firearms register – remains not yet operational, though it has now been listed as a key project.

A Painful Reminder

For long-time advocates, the Bondi attack is a tragic indication that regulations must keep pace with technological advances.

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

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

As one advocate reflected, "It's sad that it requires such a tragedy to prompt action and listen."