Australia was long seen as a world leader in gun control – the Bondi attack has revealed a far more complex situation.

On a Sunday afternoon in April 1996, a single attacker armed with rapid-fire weapons murdered 35 people in the Tasmanian tourist destination of Port Arthur.

That national tragedy nearly a generation ago, which sparked some of the toughest gun laws in the world, can appear as a different era for many residents.

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

Weapons Holdings at a Record High

A recent report 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 two decades prior.

This means approximately one firearm per seven citizens.

While Queensland has the highest number of legal firearms, followed by New South Wales (NSW) and the state of Victoria, it is the island state and the NT that have the greatest density of weapons.

The data also dispels the common view that guns are primarily held by rural residents.

Weapons are widespread in urban centres, with a sizable percentage located in major cities.

Critically, there are now firearms concentrated among fewer owners, with the registered individual possessing more than four firearms.

What Are Australia's Existing Weapons Policies?

Gun control laws in Australia are inconsistent across the country, with a mixed implementation of rules across states and territories.

Broadly speaking, to secure a gun licence, an individual must be of legal age, deemed a "fit and proper person", pass a competency test, and provide a "genuine reason" for ownership.

The allowable purposes include recreational hunting or pest control, competitive 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 major rewrite of national gun laws was enacted, leading to a massive buyback of over 650,000 firearms.

Automatic and semi-automatic rifles were outlawed, and vetting procedures alongside delays for sales were introduced.

A key tenet of these reforms was the removal of "home security" as a acceptable grounds for gun ownership.

Renewed Demands for Gun Law Reform

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

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

Other planned reforms now under consideration include:

• Capping the number of guns an individual can legally own.
• Addressing "open-ended" licensing arrangements.
• Making permanent residency a prerequisite for firearm ownership.
• Improving intelligence sharing during licence application processes.

There are also calls for regular reviews of existing licence holders, acknowledging that "situations evolve" over time.

An Ongoing Controversy

These swift actions have met with opposition from some quarters.

Pro-gun advocates contend that restricting ownership would not have averted an attack driven by extremist ideology.

They suggest that political capital would be better spent combating radicalisation rather than changing laws for the overwhelming number of licensed individuals.

Furthermore, a long-promised reform from 1996 – a national firearms register – remains incomplete, though it has now been listed as a urgent task.

A Catalyst for Change

For long-time advocates, the Bondi attack is a stark warning that regulations must be updated with new threats.

They argue that reform is needed to "remain effective" and protect public safety.

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

As one advocate stated, "It is unfortunate that it needs such a loss of life to focus attention and take notice."