Australia had long been viewed as a international standard-bearer in firearm regulation – the Bondi tragedy has revealed a far more complex truth.

On a Sunday afternoon in April 1996, a lone gunman using semi-automatic rifles killed 35 people in the Australian tourist town of Port Arthur.

That massacre nearly thirty years ago, which led to some of the toughest weapons policies in the world, can appear as a different era for many residents.

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

Firearm Possession at a Unprecedented Level

A study released earlier this year revealed that there are now in excess of four million privately-owned firearms across the country – a figure that is almost double the amount from about 20 years ago.

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

While Queensland has the highest number of legal firearms, followed by NSW and Victoria, it is Tasmania and the NT that have the highest rate of firearm ownership.

The data also challenges the widespread belief that guns are primarily held by people in regional areas.

Firearms are common in metropolitan and suburban areas, with a significant portion located in urban hubs.

Critically, there are now firearms concentrated among fewer owners, with the average licence holder possessing several firearms.

Understanding Australia's Current Gun Laws?

Firearm regulations in Australia are not uniform across the country, with a disparate implementation of rules between different jurisdictions.

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

The accepted reasons include hunting or culling, competitive shooting, certain occupational requirements, and for collections.

However, significant loopholes remain. For instance, individuals under 18 in some areas can have supervision 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 large-scale surrender scheme of over 650,000 firearms.

Automatic and semi-automatic rifles were outlawed, and security screenings alongside mandatory cooling-off periods for sales were introduced.

A key tenet of these reforms was the elimination of "self-defence" as a justifiable cause for gun ownership.

New Push for Firearm Policy Changes

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

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

Other planned reforms now under consideration include:

• Capping the number of guns an individual can possess.
• Addressing "open-ended" licensing arrangements.
• Making Australian citizenship a condition for firearm ownership.
• Improving 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 met with opposition from some quarters.

Pro-gun advocates contend that restricting ownership would not have stopped an attack driven by radicalisation.

They suggest that focus would be better spent combating radicalisation rather than restricting lawful owners for the great bulk of licensed individuals.

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

Tragedy as a Wake-Up Call

For long-time advocates, the Bondi attack is a horrific reminder that gun laws must keep pace with new threats.

They argue that modernisation is needed to "address deficiencies" and safeguard communities.

While mass shootings remain uncommon in Australia compared to some nations, the potential persists, and the challenge of guns in the wrong hands – through black markets – continues to pose a danger.

As one advocate reflected, "It is unfortunate that it requires such a tragedy to prompt action and pay heed."