Australia was widely regarded as a global exemplar in gun control – the Bondi tragedy has revealed a much murkier truth.

On a spring day in April 1996, a solitary shooter wielding rapid-fire weapons killed 35 people in the Australian tourist town of Port Arthur.

That horrific event nearly thirty years ago, which sparked some of the most stringent weapons policies in the world, can appear as a bygone age for many citizens.

However, the tragedy in Bondi this past Sunday, which claimed 15 lives, has brought back painful recollections of the Tasmanian tragedy.

Gun Ownership at a Unprecedented Level

A recent report revealed that there are now in excess of four million privately-owned firearms across the country – a figure that is almost double the amount from two decades prior.

This translates to approximately one gun for every seven Australians.

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 challenges the popular notion that guns are mainly owned by people in regional areas.

Weapons are prevalent in metropolitan and suburban areas, with a large share located in urban hubs.

Critically, there are now firearms concentrated among fewer owners, with the average licence holder possessing over four firearms.

What Are Australia's Current Gun Laws?

Firearm regulations in Australia are inconsistent across the country, with a mixed implementation of rules between different jurisdictions.

Broadly speaking, to apply for a gun licence, an individual must be over 18, deemed a "fit and proper person", pass a safety program, and provide a "valid purpose" for ownership.

The permitted justifications include hunting or culling, competitive shooting, certain job-related needs, and as a hobby.

However, significant gaps remain. For instance, young people in some areas can have use of 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 voluntary hand-in of over 650,000 firearms.

Automatic and semi-automatic rifles were banned, and security screenings 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.

Fresh Calls for Firearm Policy Changes

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

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

Other proposals now under consideration include:

• Limiting the number of guns an individual can legally own.
• Reforming "open-ended" licensing arrangements.
• Making Australian citizenship a prerequisite for firearm ownership.
• Enhancing intelligence sharing during licence application processes.

There are also calls for ongoing evaluations of existing licence holders, acknowledging that "individuals can be radicalised" over time.

An Ongoing Controversy

These swift actions have met with opposition from some quarters.

Pro-gun advocates argue that imposing caps would not have prevented an attack driven by radicalisation.

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

Furthermore, a long-promised reform from 1996 – a centralised weapon tracking system – remains not yet operational, though it has now been listed as a priority.

A Painful Reminder

For campaigners, the Bondi attack is a horrific reminder that regulations must keep pace 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 threat persists, and the ongoing issue of firearms circulating illegally – through poor storage – continues to pose a danger.

As one advocate noted, "It is regrettable that it needs such a loss of life to focus attention and pay heed."