Australia was widely regarded as a global exemplar in gun control – the Bondi tragedy has laid bare a more complicated situation.

On a weekend day in April 1996, a lone gunman armed with semi-automatic rifles killed 35 people in the Australian tourist town of Port Arthur.

That massacre nearly a generation ago, which ushered in some of the most stringent weapons policies in the world, can feel like a different era 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 Historic Peak

A analysis revealed that there are now more than four million privately-owned firearms across the country – a figure that is roughly two times the amount from the late 1990s.

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

While Queensland has the largest arsenal, followed by NSW and the state of Victoria, it is Tasmania and the NT that have the highest rate of firearm ownership.

The data also contradicts the popular notion that guns are primarily held by people in regional areas.

Weapons are widespread in urban centres, with a significant portion located in population centres.

Critically, there are now firearms concentrated among fewer owners, with the typical gun owner possessing more than four firearms.

What Are Australia's Current Gun Laws?

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

Broadly speaking, to obtain a gun licence, an individual must be over 18, deemed a "responsible individual", pass a training and safety course, and provide a "valid purpose" for ownership.

The accepted reasons include sport shooting or animal management, marksmanship, certain occupational requirements, and as a hobby.

However, significant gaps remain. For instance, young people in some states can have supervision of a firearm from as young as pre-teen age.

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

Rapid-fire weapons were prohibited, and vetting procedures alongside delays for sales were introduced.

A key tenet of these reforms was the elimination of "self-defence" as a valid reason for gun ownership.

Renewed Demands for Gun Law Reform

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

A weapons collection initiative was proposed, marking the largest such effort since 1996.

Other proposals now under consideration include:

• Capping the number of guns an individual can have registered.
• Ending "perpetual" licensing arrangements.
• Making permanent residency a prerequisite for firearm ownership.
• Strengthening intelligence sharing during vetting processes.

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

A Nuanced Discussion

These proposed changes have sparked debate from some quarters.

Pro-gun advocates contend that imposing caps would not have stopped an attack driven by violent beliefs.

They suggest that focus would be better spent improving intelligence rather than tightening regulations for the vast majority of licensed individuals.

Furthermore, a long-promised reform from 1996 – a country-wide gun database – remains not yet operational, though it has now been listed as a key project.

A Catalyst for Change

For campaigners, the Bondi attack is a stark warning that policies must evolve with changing times.

They argue that strengthening is needed to "address deficiencies" and protect public safety.

While mass shootings remain infrequent in Australia compared to some nations, the potential persists, and the legacy of firearms circulating illegally – through poor storage – continues to pose a challenge.

As one advocate noted, "It's sad that it requires such a devastating event to prompt action and pay heed."