Australia was widely regarded as a world leader in firearm regulation – the Bondi attack has exposed a more complicated truth.

On a spring day in the year 1996, a solitary shooter armed with semi-automatic rifles killed 35 people in the Tasmanian tourist destination of Port Arthur.

That massacre nearly three decades ago, which led to some of the strictest weapons policies in the world, can seem like a distant memory for many residents.

However, the Bondi Beach attack this past Sunday, which claimed 15 lives, has brought back painful recollections of the 1996 shootings.

Gun Ownership at a Unprecedented Level

A recent report revealed that there are now over four million privately-owned firearms across the country – a figure that is roughly two times the amount from the late 1990s.

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

While the state of Queensland has the most registered guns, followed by NSW and Victoria, it is the island state and the Northern Territory that have the greatest density of weapons.

The data also dispels the widespread belief that guns are mainly owned by those in the countryside.

Weapons are prevalent in urban centres, with a sizable percentage located in urban hubs.

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

Understanding Australia's Existing Weapons Policies?

Firearm regulations in Australia are not uniform across the country, with a disparate implementation of rules across states and territories.

Broadly speaking, to obtain a gun licence, an individual must be of legal age, deemed a "responsible individual", pass a safety program, and provide a "legitimate need" for ownership.

The permitted justifications include hunting or culling, 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 early adolescence.

Following the Port Arthur massacre, a comprehensive reform of national gun laws was enacted, leading to a massive buyback of over 650,000 firearms.

Certain types of firearms were outlawed, and security screenings alongside mandatory cooling-off periods for sales were introduced.

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

Fresh Calls for Gun Law Reform

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

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

Other suggested measures now under consideration include:

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

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

An Ongoing Controversy

These proposed changes have met with opposition from some quarters.

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

They suggest that focus would be better spent combating radicalisation rather than changing laws for the great bulk of law-abiding citizens.

Furthermore, a key proposed reform from 1996 – a national firearms register – remains incomplete, 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 regulations must evolve with technological advances.

They argue that strengthening is needed to "remain effective" and prevent future tragedies.

While mass shootings remain uncommon in Australia compared to some nations, the potential persists, and the legacy of firearms circulating illegally – through poor storage – continues to pose a problem.

As one advocate noted, "It is regrettable that it needs such a devastating event to prompt action and pay heed."