Australia was long seen as a world leader in firearm regulation – the Bondi attack has laid bare a far more complex situation.

On a Sunday afternoon in the year 1996, a solitary shooter wielding powerful firearms murdered 35 people in the historic site of Port Arthur.

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

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

Weapons Holdings at a Unprecedented Level

A analysis 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 two decades prior.

This means approximately one gun for every seven Australians.

While Queensland has the most registered guns, followed by NSW and the state of Victoria, it is the island state and the NT that have the highest rate of firearm ownership.

The data also contradicts the widespread belief that guns are mainly owned by rural residents.

Firearms are prevalent in urban centres, with a sizable percentage located in major cities.

Critically, there are now more guns in fewer hands, with the typical gun owner possessing over four firearms.

Understanding Australia's Existing Weapons Policies?

Weapons legislation in Australia are varied across the country, with a mixed implementation of rules across states and territories.

Typically, to obtain 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 permitted justifications include sport shooting or animal management, competitive shooting, certain professional duties, and as a hobby.

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

Following the Port Arthur massacre, a comprehensive reform of national gun laws was enacted, leading to a voluntary hand-in of over 650,000 firearms.

Rapid-fire weapons were outlawed, and vetting procedures alongside waiting periods for sales were introduced.

A key tenet of these reforms was the elimination of "personal protection" as a acceptable grounds for gun ownership.

Renewed Demands for Firearm Policy Changes

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

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

Other proposals now under consideration include:

• Capping the number of guns an individual can possess.
• Reforming "perpetual" licensing arrangements.
• Making Australian citizenship a requirement for firearm ownership.
• Strengthening intelligence sharing during vetting 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 argue that imposing caps would not have prevented an attack driven by radicalisation.

They suggest that focus would be better spent combating radicalisation rather than restricting lawful owners for the vast majority of responsible owners.

Furthermore, a key proposed reform from 1996 – a national firearms register – remains not yet operational, though it has now been listed as a priority.

A Painful Reminder

For campaigners, the Bondi attack is a stark warning that gun laws must evolve with changing times.

They argue that modernisation is needed to "address deficiencies" and prevent future tragedies.

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

As one advocate noted, "It is regrettable that it requires such a loss of life to prompt action and take notice."