The nation of Australia had long been viewed as a global exemplar in gun control – the Bondi tragedy has revealed a much murkier truth.

On a weekend day in 1996, a lone gunman wielding powerful firearms killed 35 people in the Tasmanian tourist destination of Port Arthur.

That massacre nearly a generation ago, which sparked some of the toughest gun laws in the world, can seem like a different era for many residents.

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

Firearm Possession at a Unprecedented Level

A recent report revealed that there are now over four million privately-owned firearms across the country – a figure that is roughly two times the amount from the late 1990s.

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

While Queensland has the highest number of legal firearms, followed by NSW and Victoria, it is Tasmania and the NT that have the most guns per person.

The data also contradicts the widespread belief that guns are mostly possessed by rural residents.

Guns are prevalent in cities and their outskirts, with a significant portion located in urban hubs.

Critically, there are now weapons owned by a smaller group, with the registered individual possessing several firearms.

What Are Australia's Existing Weapons Policies?

Weapons legislation in Australia are varied across the country, with a mixed implementation of rules in various regions.

Generally, to apply for a gun licence, an individual must be over 18, deemed a "suitable candidate", pass a safety program, and provide a "valid purpose" for ownership.

The accepted reasons include sport shooting or animal management, target or sport shooting, certain professional duties, and as a hobby.

However, significant gaps remain. For instance, minors in some jurisdictions can have access to a firearm from as young as 10 or 12 years old.

Following the Port Arthur massacre, a major rewrite of national gun laws was enacted, leading to a large-scale surrender scheme of over 650,000 firearms.

Certain types of firearms were banned, and security screenings alongside waiting periods for sales were introduced.

A key tenet of these reforms was the rejection of "personal protection" as a acceptable grounds for gun ownership.

New Push for Firearm Policy Changes

In the immediate aftermath the Bondi shooting, political leaders were forceful about the need to tighten gun laws.

A national gun buyback scheme was announced, marking the largest such effort since 1996.

Other planned reforms now under consideration include:

• Restricting the number of guns an individual can have registered.
• Addressing "indefinite" licensing arrangements.
• Making permanent residency a prerequisite for firearm ownership.
• Strengthening intelligence sharing during background check processes.

There are also calls for ongoing evaluations 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 maintain that limiting gun numbers would not have averted an attack driven by violent beliefs.

They suggest that focus would be better spent improving intelligence rather than tightening regulations for the great bulk of licensed individuals.

Furthermore, a long-promised reform from 1996 – a national firearms register – remains incomplete, though it has now been listed as a urgent task.

Tragedy as a Wake-Up Call

For long-time advocates, the Bondi attack is a stark warning that gun laws must evolve with technological advances.

They argue that modernisation is needed to "remain effective" and protect public safety.

While mass shootings remain relatively rare in Australia compared to some nations, the potential persists, and the challenge of guns in the wrong hands – through theft – continues to pose a problem.

As one advocate reflected, "It is regrettable that it requires such a devastating event to get people to wake up and pay heed."