Australia was long seen as a global exemplar in weapons legislation – the Bondi attack has exposed a more complicated reality.

On a weekend day in the year 1996, a solitary shooter using semi-automatic rifles murdered 35 people in the Tasmanian tourist destination of Port Arthur.

That massacre nearly three decades ago, which ushered in some of the toughest firearm regulations in the world, can feel like a distant memory for many residents.

However, the shooting at Bondi this past Sunday, which left 15 dead, has revived the ghosts of the Tasmanian tragedy.

Firearm Possession at a Unprecedented Level

A study released earlier this year revealed that there are now over four million privately-owned firearms across the country – a figure that is almost double the amount from two decades prior.

This equates to approximately one gun for every seven Australians.

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

The data also contradicts the widespread belief that guns are primarily held by rural residents.

Guns are prevalent in cities and their outskirts, with a large share located in major cities.

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

Examining Australia's Existing Weapons Policies?

Gun control laws in Australia are varied across the country, with a mixed implementation of rules between different jurisdictions.

Generally, to apply for a gun licence, an individual must be over 18, deemed a "responsible individual", pass a competency test, and provide a "genuine reason" for ownership.

The accepted reasons include recreational hunting or pest control, target or sport shooting, certain professional duties, and for collections.

However, significant shortcomings 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 major rewrite of national gun laws was enacted, leading to a massive buyback of over 650,000 firearms.

Rapid-fire weapons 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.

Fresh Calls for Firearm Policy Changes

In the wake the Bondi shooting, political leaders were clear about the need to bolster gun laws.

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

Other suggested measures now under consideration include:

• Restricting the number of guns an individual can possess.
• Ending "indefinite" licensing arrangements.
• Making formal citizenship a prerequisite for firearm ownership.
• Strengthening intelligence sharing during vetting processes.

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

A Complicated Debate

These swift actions have drawn criticism from some quarters.

Pro-gun advocates maintain that limiting gun numbers would not have averted an attack driven by radicalisation.

They suggest that focus would be better spent improving intelligence rather than changing laws for the overwhelming number of responsible owners.

Furthermore, a long-promised reform from 1996 – a centralised weapon tracking system – remains incomplete, though it has now been listed as a urgent task.

A Painful Reminder

For long-time advocates, the Bondi attack is a horrific reminder that policies must be updated with changing times.

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

While mass shootings remain uncommon in Australia compared to some nations, the threat persists, and the ongoing issue of weapons being misused – through poor storage – continues to pose a danger.

As one advocate reflected, "It's sad that it needs such a loss of life to prompt action and take notice."