Australia was widely regarded as a international standard-bearer in firearm regulation – Bondi has laid bare a far more complex reality.

On a spring day in April 1996, a lone gunman armed with powerful firearms murdered 35 people in the Australian tourist town of Port Arthur.

That national tragedy nearly a generation ago, which sparked some of the strictest gun laws in the world, can seem like a bygone age for many citizens.

However, the shooting at Bondi this past Sunday, which resulted in 15 fatalities, has brought back painful recollections of the Port Arthur massacre.

Firearm Possession at a Historic Peak

A recent report revealed that there are now over four million weapons owned by civilians across the country – a figure that is almost double the amount from the late 1990s.

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

While the state of Queensland has the largest arsenal, followed by NSW and Victoria, it is Tasmania and the Northern Territory that have the most guns per person.

The data also contradicts the common view that guns are primarily held by those in the countryside.

Weapons are common in metropolitan and suburban areas, with a large share located in urban hubs.

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

What Are Australia's Existing Weapons Policies?

Weapons legislation in Australia are not uniform across the country, with a disparate implementation of rules in various regions.

Broadly speaking, to apply for a gun licence, an individual must be of legal age, deemed a "suitable candidate", pass a competency test, and provide a "legitimate need" for ownership.

The accepted reasons include hunting or culling, target or sport shooting, certain job-related needs, and for collections.

However, significant loopholes remain. For instance, individuals under 18 in some areas can have supervision of 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 voluntary hand-in of over 650,000 firearms.

Certain types of firearms were outlawed, and security screenings alongside delays for sales were introduced.

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

Renewed Demands for Regulatory Tightening

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

A weapons collection initiative 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 Australian citizenship a condition for firearm ownership.
• Improving intelligence sharing during licence application processes.

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

A Complicated Debate

These reform efforts have met with opposition from some quarters.

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

They suggest that political capital would be better spent improving intelligence rather than restricting lawful owners for the vast majority of licensed individuals.

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

Tragedy as a Wake-Up Call

For campaigners, the Bondi attack is a horrific reminder that policies must be updated with new threats.

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

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

As one advocate stated, "It is unfortunate that it requires such a devastating event to focus attention and pay heed."