The nation of Australia had long been viewed as a international standard-bearer in firearm regulation – the Bondi attack has revealed a much murkier situation.

On a weekend day in the year 1996, a single attacker wielding semi-automatic rifles murdered 35 people in the historic site of Port Arthur.

That national tragedy nearly thirty years ago, which sparked some of the toughest weapons policies in the world, can appear as a different era for many Australians.

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

Firearm Possession at a Unprecedented Level

A recent report revealed that there are now more than four million guns in private hands across the country – a figure that is roughly two times the amount from two decades prior.

This means approximately a weapon for each small group of people.

While the state of Queensland has the largest arsenal, followed by NSW and Victoria, it is Tasmania and the Northern Territory that have the most guns per person.

The data also challenges the widespread belief that guns are primarily held by those in the countryside.

Firearms are common in cities and their outskirts, with a significant portion located in population centres.

Critically, there are now weapons owned by a smaller group, with the typical gun owner possessing more than four firearms.

Understanding Australia's Current Gun Laws?

Firearm regulations in Australia are inconsistent across the country, with a disparate implementation of rules in various regions.

Broadly speaking, to apply for a gun licence, an individual must be an adult, deemed a "suitable candidate", pass a safety program, and provide a "valid purpose" for ownership.

The permitted justifications include recreational hunting or pest control, target or sport shooting, certain occupational requirements, and for collections.

However, significant loopholes remain. For instance, minors in some states can have use of a firearm from as young as pre-teen age.

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 prohibited, and security screenings alongside waiting periods for sales were introduced.

A key tenet of these reforms was the rejection of "home security" as a justifiable cause for gun ownership.

New Push for Gun Law Reform

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

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

Other planned reforms now under consideration include:

• Limiting the number of guns an individual can legally own.
• Reforming "open-ended" licensing arrangements.
• Making formal citizenship a condition for firearm ownership.
• Strengthening intelligence sharing during vetting processes.

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

A Nuanced Discussion

These reform efforts have drawn criticism from some quarters.

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

They suggest that focus would be better spent improving intelligence rather than restricting lawful owners for the great bulk of law-abiding citizens.

Furthermore, a critical reform from 1996 – a national firearms register – remains incomplete, though it has now been listed as a key project.

A Painful Reminder

For reformers, the Bondi attack is a horrific reminder that gun laws must be updated with technological advances.

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

While mass shootings remain uncommon in Australia compared to some nations, the potential persists, and the ongoing issue of weapons being misused – through black markets – continues to pose a problem.

As one advocate stated, "It is unfortunate that it takes such a devastating event to prompt action and listen."