The nation of Australia was widely regarded as a global exemplar in firearm regulation – the Bondi tragedy has exposed a far more complex situation.

On a spring day in the year 1996, a lone gunman using powerful firearms murdered 35 people in the Australian tourist town of Port Arthur.

That national tragedy nearly three decades ago, which led to some of the most stringent firearm regulations in the world, can seem like a bygone age for many citizens.

However, the shooting at Bondi this past Sunday, which claimed 15 lives, has rekindled memories of the Port Arthur massacre.

Weapons Holdings at a Unprecedented Level

A analysis 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 about 20 years ago.

This translates to approximately one firearm per seven citizens.

While the state of Queensland has the largest arsenal, followed by New South Wales (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 dispels the common view that guns are mainly owned by those in the countryside.

Guns are common in metropolitan and suburban areas, with a large share located in major cities.

Critically, there are now weapons owned by a smaller group, with the average licence holder possessing more than four firearms.

Understanding Australia's Present Firearm Regulations?

Gun control laws in Australia are not uniform across the country, with a patchwork implementation of rules between different jurisdictions.

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

The permitted justifications include hunting or culling, competitive shooting, certain occupational requirements, and collecting.

However, significant gaps remain. For instance, young people in some states can have supervision of a firearm from as young as early adolescence.

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

Automatic and semi-automatic rifles were outlawed, and vetting procedures alongside waiting periods for sales were introduced.

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

Fresh Calls 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 suggested measures now under consideration include:

• Restricting the number of guns an individual can possess.
• Reforming "open-ended" licensing arrangements.
• Making permanent residency a condition for firearm ownership.
• Strengthening intelligence sharing during background check processes.

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

A Complicated Debate

These proposed changes have met with opposition from some quarters.

Pro-gun advocates argue that limiting gun numbers would not have stopped an attack driven by violent beliefs.

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

Furthermore, a long-promised reform from 1996 – a national firearms register – remains not yet operational, 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 policies must evolve with technological advances.

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

While mass shootings remain relatively rare in Australia compared to some nations, the potential persists, and the ongoing issue of guns in the wrong hands – through black markets – continues to pose a problem.

As one advocate reflected, "It is regrettable that it requires such a tragedy to get people to wake up and listen."