The nation of Australia was long seen as a global exemplar in gun control – the Bondi tragedy has laid bare a more complicated reality.

On a spring day in the year 1996, a lone gunman using semi-automatic rifles killed 35 people in the Australian tourist town of Port Arthur.

That horrific event nearly three decades ago, which led to some of the toughest firearm regulations in the world, can seem like a bygone age for many Australians.

However, the Bondi Beach attack this past Sunday, which left 15 dead, has brought back painful recollections of the Port Arthur massacre.

Firearm Possession at a Historic Peak

A analysis revealed that there are now in excess of four million privately-owned firearms across the country – a figure that is nearly twice the amount from the late 1990s.

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

While 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 highest rate of firearm ownership.

The data also challenges the widespread belief that guns are mostly possessed by those in the countryside.

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

Critically, there are now more guns in fewer hands, with the average licence holder possessing over four firearms.

What Are Australia's Present Firearm Regulations?

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

Generally, to secure a gun licence, an individual must be of legal age, deemed a "suitable candidate", pass a safety program, and provide a "valid purpose" for ownership.

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

However, significant loopholes remain. For instance, minors in some jurisdictions can have use of a firearm from as young as 10 or 12 years old.

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 "personal protection" as a valid reason for gun ownership.

New Push for Firearm Policy Changes

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

A national gun buyback scheme was unveiled, marking the largest such effort since 1996.

Other proposals now under consideration include:

• Limiting the number of guns an individual can possess.
• Reforming "indefinite" licensing arrangements.
• Making formal citizenship a requirement for firearm ownership.
• Strengthening intelligence sharing during licence application processes.

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

A Nuanced Discussion

These reform efforts have sparked debate from some quarters.

Pro-gun advocates maintain that restricting ownership would not have prevented an attack driven by violent beliefs.

They suggest that political capital would be better spent combating radicalisation rather than restricting lawful owners for the vast majority of licensed individuals.

Furthermore, a critical reform from 1996 – a country-wide gun database – remains unfinished, though it has now been listed as a urgent task.

A Painful Reminder

For campaigners, the Bondi attack is a stark warning that regulations must be updated with technological advances.

They argue that strengthening is needed to "keep up-to-date" and safeguard communities.

While mass shootings remain infrequent in Australia compared to some nations, the threat persists, and the ongoing issue of guns in the wrong hands – through poor storage – continues to pose a danger.

As one advocate reflected, "It's sad that it takes such a tragedy to prompt action and take notice."