Australia was long seen as a world leader in gun control – the Bondi attack has revealed a much murkier truth.

On a spring day in 1996, a lone gunman wielding rapid-fire weapons murdered 35 people in the historic site of Port Arthur.

That horrific event nearly three decades ago, which led to some of the toughest gun laws in the world, can feel like a distant memory for many residents.

However, the tragedy in Bondi this past Sunday, which left 15 dead, has brought back painful recollections of the 1996 shootings.

Gun Ownership at a Record High

A analysis revealed that there are now over 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 one firearm per seven citizens.

While the state of Queensland has the largest arsenal, followed by NSW and Victoria, it is the island state and the NT that have the greatest density of weapons.

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

Firearms are prevalent in urban centres, with a large share located in population centres.

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

Examining Australia's Current Gun Laws?

Firearm regulations in Australia are inconsistent across the country, with a mixed implementation of rules across states and territories.

Typically, to apply for a gun licence, an individual must be over 18, deemed a "suitable candidate", pass a safety program, and provide a "genuine reason" for ownership.

The accepted reasons include sport shooting or animal management, marksmanship, certain job-related needs, and collecting.

However, significant gaps remain. For instance, individuals under 18 in some areas can have access to a firearm from as young as 10 or 12 years old.

Following the Port Arthur massacre, a comprehensive reform of national gun laws was enacted, leading to a large-scale surrender scheme of over 650,000 firearms.

Rapid-fire weapons were banned, and security screenings alongside waiting periods for sales were introduced.

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

Renewed Demands for Firearm Policy Changes

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

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

Other proposals now under consideration include:

• Restricting the number of guns an individual can possess.
• Reforming "open-ended" licensing arrangements.
• Making Australian citizenship a condition for firearm ownership.
• Strengthening intelligence sharing during licence application processes.

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

A Complicated Debate

These proposed changes have drawn criticism from some quarters.

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

They suggest that resources would be better spent improving intelligence rather than changing laws for the overwhelming number of law-abiding citizens.

Furthermore, a key proposed 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 long-time advocates, the Bondi attack is a tragic indication that gun laws must evolve with changing times.

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

While mass shootings remain infrequent in Australia compared to some nations, the threat persists, and the ongoing issue of weapons being misused – through poor storage – continues to pose a challenge.

As one advocate noted, "It's sad that it needs such a loss of life to get people to wake up and pay heed."