Australia had long been viewed as a world leader in gun control – the Bondi tragedy has exposed a more complicated situation.

On a Sunday afternoon in the year 1996, a single attacker wielding semi-automatic rifles murdered 35 people in the Australian tourist town of Port Arthur.

That massacre nearly a generation ago, which sparked some of the most stringent weapons policies in the world, can feel like a distant memory for many Australians.

However, the Bondi Beach attack this past Sunday, which claimed 15 lives, has brought back painful recollections of the 1996 shootings.

Firearm Possession at a Record High

A study released earlier this year revealed that there are now over four million weapons owned by civilians across the country – a figure that is roughly two times the amount from about 20 years ago.

This translates to approximately one firearm per seven citizens.

While the state of Queensland has the most registered guns, followed by New South Wales (NSW) and the state of Victoria, it is the island state and the Northern Territory that have the most guns per person.

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

Firearms 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 several firearms.

Understanding Australia's Current Gun Laws?

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

Generally, to apply for a gun licence, an individual must be of legal age, deemed a "suitable candidate", pass a competency test, and provide a "genuine reason" for ownership.

The allowable purposes include recreational hunting or pest control, target or sport shooting, certain occupational requirements, and as a hobby.

However, significant gaps remain. For instance, minors in some jurisdictions can have access to a firearm from as young as early adolescence.

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 prohibited, and security screenings alongside delays for sales were introduced.

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

Fresh Calls for Gun Law Reform

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

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

Other planned reforms now under consideration include:

• Restricting the number of guns an individual can possess.
• Ending "perpetual" licensing arrangements.
• Making permanent residency a requirement for firearm ownership.
• Improving 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 swift actions have met with opposition from some quarters.

Pro-gun advocates argue that restricting ownership would not have averted an attack driven by extremist ideology.

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

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

A Painful Reminder

For campaigners, the Bondi attack is a horrific reminder that regulations must evolve with changing times.

They argue that strengthening is needed to "address deficiencies" and safeguard communities.

While mass shootings remain infrequent in Australia compared to some nations, the risk persists, and the legacy of weapons being misused – through poor storage – continues to pose a problem.

As one advocate noted, "It is regrettable that it needs such a devastating event to focus attention and take notice."