Australia was long seen as a international standard-bearer in gun control – the Bondi attack has laid bare a far more complex situation.

On a weekend day in the year 1996, a solitary shooter wielding powerful firearms took the lives of 35 people in the Australian tourist town of Port Arthur.

That massacre nearly three decades ago, which sparked some of the toughest gun laws in the world, can feel like a distant memory for many Australians.

However, the shooting at Bondi this past Sunday, which resulted in 15 fatalities, has rekindled memories of the Tasmanian tragedy.

Firearm Possession at a Record High

A study released earlier this year revealed that there are now more than four million guns in private hands across the country – a figure that is almost double the amount from about 20 years ago.

This equates to approximately one firearm per seven citizens.

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

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

Firearms are prevalent in metropolitan and suburban areas, with a significant portion located in population centres.

Critically, there are now weapons owned by a smaller group, with the registered individual possessing several firearms.

What Are Australia's Existing Weapons Policies?

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

Typically, to apply for a gun licence, an individual must be an adult, deemed a "fit and proper person", pass a training and safety course, and provide a "genuine reason" for ownership.

The allowable purposes include sport shooting or animal management, target or sport shooting, certain occupational requirements, and for collections.

However, significant loopholes remain. For instance, young people in some states can have use of a firearm from as young as early adolescence.

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

Automatic and semi-automatic rifles were banned, and security screenings alongside delays for sales were introduced.

A key tenet of these reforms was the rejection of "home security" as a justifiable cause for gun ownership.

Renewed Demands for Firearm Policy Changes

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

A country-wide firearm surrender program was proposed, marking the largest such effort since 1996.

Other suggested measures now under consideration include:

• Limiting the number of guns an individual can legally own.
• Addressing "perpetual" licensing arrangements.
• Making Australian citizenship a requirement for firearm ownership.
• Strengthening intelligence sharing during licence application processes.

There are also calls for ongoing evaluations of existing licence holders, acknowledging that "people's circumstances can change" over time.

An Ongoing Controversy

These reform efforts have sparked debate from some quarters.

Pro-gun advocates argue that limiting gun numbers would not have stopped an attack driven by extremist ideology.

They suggest that resources would be better spent addressing root causes rather than tightening regulations for the overwhelming number of licensed individuals.

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

A Painful Reminder

For reformers, the Bondi attack is a stark warning that regulations must keep pace with changing times.

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

While mass shootings remain relatively rare in Australia compared to some nations, the risk persists, and the challenge of firearms circulating illegally – through black markets – continues to pose a danger.

As one advocate noted, "It's sad that it takes such a tragedy to get people to wake up and take notice."