Australia had long been viewed as a international standard-bearer in weapons legislation – Bondi has revealed a far more complex reality.

On a Sunday afternoon in April 1996, a single attacker armed with powerful firearms murdered 35 people in the historic site of Port Arthur.

That massacre nearly a generation ago, which ushered in some of the toughest weapons policies in the world, can appear as a distant memory for many citizens.

However, the shooting at Bondi this past Sunday, which left 15 dead, has rekindled memories of the 1996 shootings.

Firearm Possession at a Record High

A study released earlier this year revealed that there are now in excess of four million guns in private hands 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 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 highest rate of firearm ownership.

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

Firearms are prevalent in metropolitan and suburban areas, with a sizable percentage located in population centres.

Critically, there are now more guns in fewer hands, with the typical gun owner possessing more than four firearms.

Understanding Australia's Existing Weapons Policies?

Firearm regulations in Australia are inconsistent across the country, with a patchwork implementation of rules across states and territories.

Generally, to secure a gun licence, an individual must be over 18, deemed a "fit and proper person", pass a training and safety course, and provide a "valid purpose" for ownership.

The accepted reasons include hunting or culling, competitive shooting, certain job-related needs, and collecting.

However, significant loopholes remain. For instance, individuals under 18 in some states 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 massive buyback of over 650,000 firearms.

Rapid-fire weapons were outlawed, and security screenings alongside waiting periods for sales were introduced.

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

New Push for Gun Law Reform

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

A national gun buyback scheme was unveiled, marking the most significant such effort since 1996.

Other proposals now under consideration include:

• Limiting the number of guns an individual can have registered.
• Ending "perpetual" licensing arrangements.
• Making formal citizenship a condition for firearm ownership.
• Strengthening intelligence sharing during licence application processes.

There are also calls for periodic reassessments of existing licence holders, acknowledging that "situations evolve" over time.

A Complicated Debate

These swift actions have sparked debate from some quarters.

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

They suggest that resources would be better spent combating radicalisation rather than restricting lawful owners for the overwhelming number of responsible owners.

Furthermore, a critical reform from 1996 – a country-wide gun database – remains unfinished, though it has now been listed as a priority.

A Catalyst for Change

For campaigners, the Bondi attack is a stark warning that regulations must be updated with new threats.

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

While mass shootings remain uncommon in Australia compared to some nations, the threat persists, and the ongoing issue of guns in the wrong hands – through theft – continues to pose a danger.

As one advocate noted, "It's sad that it takes such a tragedy to focus attention and take notice."