Australia was widely regarded as a global exemplar in weapons legislation – the Bondi tragedy has exposed a more complicated situation.

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

That massacre nearly a generation ago, which sparked some of the strictest weapons policies in the world, can appear as a bygone age for many citizens.

However, the Bondi Beach attack this past Sunday, which claimed 15 lives, has revived the ghosts of the 1996 shootings.

Firearm Possession at a Record High

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 translates to approximately one firearm per seven citizens.

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

The data also contradicts the widespread belief that guns are mostly possessed by those in the countryside.

Firearms are widespread in urban centres, with a large share located in urban hubs.

Critically, there are now firearms concentrated among fewer owners, with the typical gun owner possessing more than four firearms.

Understanding Australia's Present Firearm Regulations?

Weapons legislation in Australia are inconsistent across the country, with a patchwork implementation of rules across states and territories.

Typically, to secure a gun licence, an individual must be an adult, deemed a "suitable candidate", pass a competency test, and provide a "valid purpose" for ownership.

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

However, significant gaps remain. For instance, minors in some jurisdictions can have access to 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.

Automatic and semi-automatic rifles were prohibited, and background checks alongside mandatory cooling-off periods for sales were introduced.

A key tenet of these reforms was the elimination of "self-defence" as a acceptable grounds for gun ownership.

Renewed Demands for Firearm Policy Changes

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

A weapons collection initiative was unveiled, marking the first such effort since 1996.

Other proposals now under consideration include:

• Limiting the number of guns an individual can possess.
• Ending "indefinite" licensing arrangements.
• Making Australian citizenship a condition for firearm ownership.
• Enhancing 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 drawn criticism from some quarters.

Pro-gun advocates contend that limiting gun numbers would not have prevented an attack driven by extremist ideology.

They suggest that focus would be better spent addressing root causes rather than restricting lawful owners for the overwhelming number of law-abiding citizens.

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.

A Catalyst for Change

For campaigners, the Bondi attack is a stark warning that policies must evolve 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 firearms circulating illegally – through theft – continues to pose a problem.

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