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

On a Sunday afternoon in the year 1996, a single attacker armed with powerful firearms killed 35 people in the Australian tourist town of Port Arthur.

That massacre nearly thirty years ago, which sparked some of the strictest weapons policies in the world, can seem like a bygone age for many citizens.

However, the tragedy in Bondi this past Sunday, which claimed 15 lives, has rekindled memories of the 1996 shootings.

Gun Ownership at a Historic Peak

A study released earlier this year 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 about 20 years ago.

This equates to approximately a weapon for each small group of people.

While Queensland has the highest number of legal firearms, followed by NSW and the state of Victoria, it is Tasmania and the Northern Territory that have the greatest density of weapons.

The data also dispels the popular notion that guns are mostly possessed by rural residents.

Guns are common in urban centres, with a sizable percentage located in urban hubs.

Critically, there are now firearms concentrated among fewer owners, with the registered individual possessing more than four firearms.

Understanding Australia's Existing Weapons Policies?

Gun control laws in Australia are varied across the country, with a patchwork implementation of rules in various regions.

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 "legitimate need" for ownership.

The accepted reasons include sport shooting or animal management, marksmanship, certain job-related needs, and for collections.

However, significant gaps remain. For instance, minors in some jurisdictions can have access to a firearm from as young as pre-teen age.

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

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

A key tenet of these reforms was the elimination of "personal protection" as a valid reason for gun ownership.

Fresh Calls for Regulatory Tightening

In the hours following 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 proposals now under consideration include:

• Limiting the number of guns an individual can have registered.
• Addressing "perpetual" licensing arrangements.
• Making formal citizenship 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 reform efforts have sparked debate from some quarters.

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

They suggest that resources would be better spent addressing root causes rather than changing laws for the vast majority of responsible owners.

Furthermore, a key proposed reform from 1996 – a country-wide gun database – 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 horrific reminder that regulations must keep pace with technological advances.

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

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

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