Australia had long been viewed as a world leader in gun control – the Bondi attack has laid bare a more complicated reality.

On a spring day in April 1996, a single attacker armed with powerful firearms killed 35 people in the historic site of Port Arthur.

That horrific event nearly three decades ago, which led to some of the strictest gun laws in the world, can appear as a distant memory for many Australians.

However, the tragedy in Bondi this past Sunday, which left 15 dead, has revived the ghosts of the Port Arthur massacre.

Gun Ownership at a Record High

A recent report revealed that there are now over four million guns in private hands across the country – a figure that is roughly two times the amount from two decades prior.

This equates to approximately one firearm per seven citizens.

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

The data also contradicts the common view that guns are mainly owned by those in the countryside.

Firearms are widespread in urban centres, with a sizable percentage located in major cities.

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

Understanding Australia's Existing Weapons Policies?

Gun control laws in Australia are not uniform across the country, with a mixed implementation of rules between different jurisdictions.

Typically, to obtain a gun licence, an individual must be of legal age, deemed a "responsible individual", pass a safety program, and provide a "valid purpose" for ownership.

The accepted reasons include recreational hunting or pest control, target or sport shooting, certain professional duties, and as a hobby.

However, significant gaps remain. For instance, individuals under 18 in some areas can have supervision of a firearm from as young as pre-teen age.

Following the Port Arthur massacre, a major rewrite of national gun laws was enacted, leading to a massive buyback of over 650,000 firearms.

Certain types of firearms were banned, and background checks alongside delays for sales were introduced.

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

Renewed Demands for Gun Law Reform

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

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

Other proposals now under consideration include:

• Limiting the number of guns an individual can legally own.
• Ending "indefinite" licensing arrangements.
• Making Australian citizenship a requirement for firearm ownership.
• Enhancing intelligence sharing during licence application processes.

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

A Nuanced Discussion

These swift actions have drawn criticism from some quarters.

Pro-gun advocates argue that limiting gun numbers would not have stopped an attack driven by radicalisation.

They suggest that resources would be better spent combating radicalisation rather than tightening regulations for the great bulk of licensed individuals.

Furthermore, a long-promised reform from 1996 – a country-wide gun database – remains incomplete, though it has now been listed as a key project.

A Catalyst for Change

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

They argue that modernisation is needed to "keep up-to-date" and protect public safety.

While mass shootings remain infrequent in Australia compared to some nations, the threat persists, and the legacy of firearms circulating illegally – through theft – continues to pose a challenge.

As one advocate noted, "It is regrettable that it takes such a devastating event to prompt action and take notice."