Australia was widely regarded as a global exemplar in weapons legislation – the Bondi tragedy has laid bare a much murkier reality.

On a weekend day in April 1996, a lone gunman armed with powerful firearms killed 35 people in the historic site of Port Arthur.

That horrific event nearly three decades ago, which led to some of the strictest weapons policies in the world, can feel like a different era for many residents.

However, the shooting at Bondi this past Sunday, which resulted in 15 fatalities, has rekindled memories of the Tasmanian tragedy.

Gun Ownership at a Record High

A analysis revealed that there are now in excess of four million guns in private hands across the country – a figure that is nearly twice the amount from the late 1990s.

This means approximately one firearm per seven citizens.

While the state of Queensland has the most registered guns, 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 popular notion that guns are primarily held by those in the countryside.

Guns are prevalent in urban centres, with a significant portion located in urban hubs.

Critically, there are now more guns in fewer hands, with the typical gun owner possessing several firearms.

Examining Australia's Existing Weapons Policies?

Gun control laws in Australia are not uniform across the country, with a patchwork implementation of rules in various regions.

Generally, to obtain a gun licence, an individual must be an adult, deemed a "fit and proper person", pass a competency test, and provide a "valid purpose" for ownership.

The allowable purposes include hunting or culling, target or sport shooting, certain occupational requirements, and as a hobby.

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

Automatic and semi-automatic rifles were banned, and vetting procedures alongside mandatory cooling-off periods for sales were introduced.

A key tenet of these reforms was the rejection of "personal protection" as a valid reason for gun ownership.

Fresh Calls for Firearm Policy Changes

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

A weapons collection initiative was unveiled, marking the first such effort since 1996.

Other planned reforms now under consideration include:

• Restricting the number of guns an individual can legally own.
• Addressing "open-ended" licensing arrangements.
• Making formal citizenship a requirement for firearm ownership.
• Enhancing intelligence sharing during background check processes.

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

A Nuanced Discussion

These proposed changes have drawn criticism from some quarters.

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

They suggest that political capital would be better spent addressing root causes rather than restricting lawful owners for the vast majority of responsible owners.

Furthermore, a long-promised reform from 1996 – a national firearms register – remains not yet operational, though it has now been listed as a priority.

Tragedy as a Wake-Up Call

For reformers, the Bondi attack is a horrific reminder that gun laws must be updated 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 risk persists, and the challenge of weapons being misused – through theft – continues to pose a problem.

As one advocate stated, "It's sad that it requires such a tragedy to get people to wake up and take notice."