Australia was long seen as a international standard-bearer in weapons legislation – the Bondi tragedy has exposed a much murkier reality.

On a Sunday afternoon in April 1996, a lone gunman using semi-automatic rifles took the lives of 35 people in the Australian tourist town of Port Arthur.

That massacre nearly three decades ago, which led to some of the strictest firearm regulations in the world, can appear as a different era for many citizens.

However, the tragedy in Bondi this past Sunday, which left 15 dead, has brought back painful recollections of the 1996 shootings.

Firearm Possession at a Record High

A recent report revealed that there are now over four million guns in private hands across the country – a figure that is nearly twice the amount from two decades prior.

This translates to approximately one firearm per seven citizens.

While Queensland has the highest number of legal firearms, followed by New South Wales (NSW) and the state of Victoria, it is Tasmania and the NT that have the greatest density of weapons.

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

Firearms are prevalent in metropolitan and suburban areas, with a large share located in population centres.

Critically, there are now weapons owned by a smaller group, with the average licence holder possessing more than four firearms.

What Are Australia's Existing Weapons Policies?

Gun control laws in Australia are not uniform across the country, with a mixed implementation of rules across states and territories.

Broadly speaking, to obtain a gun licence, an individual must be of legal age, deemed a "fit and proper person", pass a training and safety course, and provide a "genuine reason" for ownership.

The permitted justifications include recreational hunting or pest control, marksmanship, certain job-related needs, and for collections.

However, significant loopholes remain. For instance, individuals under 18 in some states can have supervision 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.

Certain types of firearms were banned, and background checks alongside waiting periods for sales were introduced.

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

Renewed Demands for Firearm Policy Changes

In the hours following the Bondi shooting, political leaders were clear about the need to bolster 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 have registered.
• Addressing "indefinite" licensing arrangements.
• Making formal citizenship a prerequisite for firearm ownership.
• Improving intelligence sharing during licence application processes.

There are also calls for ongoing evaluations 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 limiting gun numbers would not have prevented an attack driven by extremist ideology.

They suggest that resources would be better spent addressing root causes rather than restricting lawful owners for the great bulk of licensed individuals.

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

Tragedy as a Wake-Up Call

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

They argue that modernisation is needed to "remain effective" and safeguard communities.

While mass shootings remain relatively rare in Australia compared to some nations, the threat persists, and the challenge of weapons being misused – through theft – continues to pose a challenge.

As one advocate reflected, "It is unfortunate that it takes such a tragedy to prompt action and listen."