Australia had long been viewed as a world leader in firearm regulation – the Bondi attack has laid bare a more complicated truth.

On a weekend day in the year 1996, a single attacker armed with rapid-fire weapons killed 35 people in the Australian tourist town of Port Arthur.

That horrific event nearly a generation ago, which sparked some of the most stringent gun laws in the world, can seem like a distant memory for many residents.

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

Firearm Possession at a Unprecedented Level

A study released earlier this year 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 means approximately a weapon for each small group of people.

While the state of Queensland has the largest arsenal, followed by New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria, it is the island state and the NT that have the greatest density of weapons.

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

Guns are prevalent in metropolitan and suburban areas, with a significant portion located in population centres.

Critically, there are now firearms concentrated among fewer owners, with the registered individual possessing several firearms.

Examining Australia's Current Gun Laws?

Weapons legislation in Australia are varied across the country, with a disparate implementation of rules between different jurisdictions.

Generally, to secure a gun licence, an individual must be of legal age, deemed a "suitable candidate", pass a competency test, and provide a "genuine reason" for ownership.

The permitted justifications include hunting or culling, marksmanship, certain occupational requirements, and for collections.

However, significant loopholes remain. For instance, minors in some areas 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 large-scale surrender scheme of over 650,000 firearms.

Rapid-fire weapons were prohibited, and security screenings alongside delays for sales were introduced.

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

Fresh Calls for Firearm Policy Changes

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

A country-wide firearm surrender program was proposed, marking the largest such effort since 1996.

Other suggested measures now under consideration include:

• Capping the number of guns an individual can have registered.
• Addressing "perpetual" licensing arrangements.
• Making formal citizenship a condition for firearm ownership.
• Improving intelligence sharing during licence application processes.

There are also calls for ongoing evaluations 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 argue that restricting ownership would not have stopped an attack driven by radicalisation.

They suggest that resources would be better spent addressing root causes rather than changing laws for the vast majority of law-abiding citizens.

Furthermore, a key proposed reform from 1996 – a national firearms register – remains unfinished, though it has now been listed as a key project.

A Catalyst for Change

For campaigners, the Bondi attack is a stark warning that policies must be updated with changing times.

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

While mass shootings remain infrequent in Australia compared to some nations, the potential persists, and the challenge of guns in the wrong hands – through poor storage – continues to pose a challenge.

As one advocate noted, "It's sad that it takes such a devastating event to prompt action and listen."