Australia was widely regarded as a world leader in gun control – the Bondi tragedy has revealed a far more complex reality.

On a spring day in the year 1996, a solitary shooter armed with powerful firearms killed 35 people in the historic site of Port Arthur.

That national tragedy nearly three decades ago, which led to some of the most stringent weapons policies in the world, can seem like a different era for many Australians.

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

Gun Ownership at a Unprecedented Level

A study released earlier this year revealed that there are now over four million privately-owned firearms across the country – a figure that is almost double the amount from the late 1990s.

This equates to approximately one gun for every seven Australians.

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

The data also challenges the widespread belief that guns are mostly possessed by people in regional areas.

Firearms are widespread in metropolitan and suburban areas, with a large share located in urban hubs.

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

Examining Australia's Existing Weapons Policies?

Firearm regulations in Australia are varied across the country, with a disparate implementation of rules in various regions.

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

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

However, significant gaps remain. For instance, individuals under 18 in some states can have supervision of a firearm from as young as 10 or 12 years old.

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

Automatic and semi-automatic rifles were prohibited, and vetting procedures alongside delays for sales were introduced.

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

Fresh Calls for Firearm Policy Changes

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

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

Other planned reforms now under consideration include:

• Restricting the number of guns an individual can legally own.
• Reforming "open-ended" licensing arrangements.
• Making Australian citizenship a condition for firearm ownership.
• Improving intelligence sharing during background check processes.

There are also calls for ongoing evaluations of existing licence holders, acknowledging that "individuals can be radicalised" over time.

A Complicated Debate

These reform efforts have sparked debate from some quarters.

Pro-gun advocates contend that restricting ownership would not have stopped an attack driven by radicalisation.

They suggest that focus would be better spent addressing root causes rather than tightening regulations for the vast majority of responsible owners.

Furthermore, a long-promised reform from 1996 – a national firearms register – remains not yet operational, though it has now been listed as a key project.

A Painful Reminder

For long-time advocates, the Bondi attack is a stark warning that regulations must keep pace with changing times.

They argue that reform is needed to "keep up-to-date" and safeguard communities.

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

As one advocate noted, "It is unfortunate that it requires such a tragedy to focus attention and take notice."