Australia was long seen as a global exemplar in gun control – the Bondi attack has exposed a much murkier reality.

On a weekend day in April 1996, a lone gunman armed with rapid-fire weapons took the lives of 35 people in the historic site of Port Arthur.

That horrific event nearly a generation ago, which led to some of the most stringent gun laws in the world, can feel like a bygone age for many residents.

However, the tragedy in Bondi this past Sunday, which left 15 dead, has brought back painful recollections of the Tasmanian tragedy.

Gun Ownership at a Historic Peak

A recent report revealed that there are now over four million guns in private hands across the country – a figure that is nearly twice the amount from about 20 years ago.

This equates to approximately one firearm per seven citizens.

While the state of Queensland has the highest number of legal firearms, followed by NSW and the state of Victoria, it is Tasmania and the NT that have the highest rate of firearm ownership.

The data also challenges the widespread belief that guns are primarily held by those in the countryside.

Weapons are prevalent in cities and their outskirts, with a large share located in major cities.

Critically, there are now more guns in fewer hands, with the average licence holder possessing more than four firearms.

What Are Australia's Present Firearm Regulations?

Gun control laws in Australia are not uniform across the country, with a disparate implementation of rules across states and territories.

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

The accepted reasons include recreational hunting or pest control, target or sport shooting, certain occupational requirements, and collecting.

However, significant gaps remain. For instance, minors in some states can have supervision of 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 voluntary hand-in of over 650,000 firearms.

Rapid-fire weapons were banned, and vetting procedures alongside delays for sales were introduced.

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

Renewed Demands for Regulatory Tightening

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

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

Other planned reforms now under consideration include:

• Restricting the number of guns an individual can possess.
• Addressing "indefinite" licensing arrangements.
• Making Australian citizenship a prerequisite for firearm ownership.
• Improving intelligence sharing during background check 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 sparked debate from some quarters.

Pro-gun advocates maintain that imposing caps would not have stopped an attack driven by radicalisation.

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

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

A Catalyst for Change

For long-time advocates, the Bondi attack is a horrific reminder that gun laws must be updated with new threats.

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

While mass shootings remain relatively rare in Australia compared to some nations, the threat persists, and the ongoing issue of guns in the wrong hands – through black markets – continues to pose a problem.

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