Australia was long seen as a global exemplar in gun control – Bondi has exposed a far more complex truth.

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

That massacre nearly three decades ago, which led to some of the strictest firearm regulations in the world, can feel like a distant memory for many Australians.

However, the shooting at Bondi this past Sunday, which resulted in 15 fatalities, has brought back painful recollections of the Port Arthur massacre.

Weapons Holdings at a Record High

A study released earlier this year revealed that there are now in excess of four million weapons owned by civilians across the country – a figure that is almost double the amount from the late 1990s.

This translates to approximately one firearm per seven citizens.

While the state of Queensland has the largest arsenal, followed by New South Wales (NSW) and the state of Victoria, it is Tasmania 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 rural residents.

Firearms are common in cities and their outskirts, with a large share located in major cities.

Critically, there are now more guns in fewer hands, with the registered individual possessing over four firearms.

What Are Australia's Existing Weapons Policies?

Weapons legislation in Australia are not uniform across the country, with a patchwork implementation of rules across states and territories.

Broadly speaking, to secure a gun licence, an individual must be over 18, deemed a "suitable candidate", pass a training and safety course, and provide a "genuine reason" for ownership.

The permitted justifications include hunting or culling, competitive shooting, certain professional duties, and as a hobby.

However, significant loopholes remain. For instance, young people in some areas 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 large-scale surrender scheme of over 650,000 firearms.

Rapid-fire weapons were outlawed, 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.

Renewed Demands for Firearm Policy Changes

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

A weapons collection initiative was announced, marking the most significant such effort since 1996.

Other suggested measures now under consideration include:

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

There are also calls for ongoing evaluations 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 contend that restricting ownership would not have stopped an attack driven by extremist ideology.

They suggest that political capital would be better spent addressing root causes rather than tightening regulations for the overwhelming number of law-abiding citizens.

Furthermore, a key proposed reform from 1996 – a centralised weapon tracking system – remains unfinished, though it has now been listed as a key project.

A Painful Reminder

For long-time advocates, the Bondi attack is a tragic indication that policies must be updated with technological advances.

They argue that modernisation is needed to "keep up-to-date" and protect public safety.

While mass shootings remain uncommon in Australia compared to some nations, the risk persists, and the challenge of guns in the wrong hands – through theft – continues to pose a problem.

As one advocate reflected, "It's sad that it takes such a tragedy to focus attention and listen."