Australia had long been viewed as a global exemplar in weapons legislation – the Bondi attack has revealed a much murkier truth.

On a weekend day in the year 1996, a lone gunman armed with powerful firearms killed 35 people in the historic site of Port Arthur.

That massacre nearly thirty years ago, which sparked some of the most stringent firearm regulations in the world, can appear as a distant memory for many Australians.

However, the tragedy in Bondi this past Sunday, which claimed 15 lives, has brought back painful recollections of the Port Arthur massacre.

Weapons Holdings 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 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 challenges the widespread belief that guns are mostly possessed by those in the countryside.

Weapons are widespread in metropolitan and suburban areas, with a large share located in population centres.

Critically, there are now weapons owned by a smaller group, with the average licence holder possessing more than four firearms.

Understanding Australia's Current Gun Laws?

Gun control laws in Australia are varied across the country, with a disparate implementation of rules between different jurisdictions.

Generally, to apply for a gun licence, an individual must be of legal age, deemed a "responsible individual", pass a safety program, and provide a "genuine reason" for ownership.

The permitted justifications include hunting or culling, marksmanship, certain professional duties, and for collections.

However, significant gaps remain. For instance, individuals under 18 in some areas can have access to a firearm from as young as early adolescence.

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 banned, and vetting procedures alongside waiting periods for sales were introduced.

A key tenet of these reforms was the elimination of "self-defence" 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 national gun buyback scheme was unveiled, marking the most significant such effort since 1996.

Other proposals now under consideration include:

• Capping the number of guns an individual can have registered.
• Reforming "perpetual" licensing arrangements.
• Making permanent residency a prerequisite for firearm ownership.
• Enhancing intelligence sharing during background check processes.

There are also calls for ongoing evaluations of existing licence holders, acknowledging that "people's circumstances can change" over time.

A Nuanced Discussion

These reform efforts have met with opposition from some quarters.

Pro-gun advocates contend that limiting gun numbers would not have stopped an attack driven by violent beliefs.

They suggest that political capital would be better spent combating radicalisation rather than restricting lawful owners for the overwhelming number of law-abiding citizens.

Furthermore, a key proposed reform from 1996 – a centralised weapon tracking system – remains incomplete, though it has now been listed as a key project.

A Painful Reminder

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

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

While mass shootings remain uncommon in Australia compared to some nations, the threat persists, and the challenge of weapons being misused – through black markets – continues to pose a danger.

As one advocate stated, "It is regrettable that it needs such a devastating event to prompt action and listen."