Australia had long been viewed as a world leader in firearm regulation – the Bondi tragedy has exposed a much murkier situation.

On a weekend day in 1996, a single attacker using rapid-fire weapons killed 35 people in the Tasmanian tourist destination of Port Arthur.

That national tragedy nearly a generation ago, which ushered in some of the toughest gun laws in the world, can seem like a bygone age for many citizens.

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

Gun Ownership at a Historic Peak

A study released earlier this year 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 most registered guns, followed by NSW and the state of Victoria, it is Tasmania and the Northern Territory that have the highest rate of firearm ownership.

The data also dispels the popular notion that guns are primarily held by those in the countryside.

Weapons are prevalent 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 registered individual possessing over four firearms.

Examining Australia's Current Gun Laws?

Gun control laws in Australia are inconsistent across the country, with a patchwork implementation of rules between different jurisdictions.

Typically, to apply for a gun licence, an individual must be of legal age, deemed a "fit and proper person", pass a training and safety course, and provide a "valid purpose" for ownership.

The accepted reasons include recreational hunting or pest control, competitive shooting, certain occupational requirements, and collecting.

However, significant shortcomings remain. For instance, young people in some states can have access to 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.

Certain types of firearms were banned, and security screenings alongside waiting periods for sales were introduced.

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

Renewed Demands for Firearm Policy Changes

In the wake the Bondi shooting, political leaders were unequivocal about the need to strengthen gun laws.

A weapons collection initiative was unveiled, marking the largest such effort since 1996.

Other planned reforms now under consideration include:

• Capping the number of guns an individual can possess.
• Addressing "perpetual" licensing arrangements.
• Making permanent residency a condition for firearm ownership.
• Improving intelligence sharing during background check processes.

There are also calls for regular reviews of existing licence holders, acknowledging that "people's circumstances can change" over time.

An Ongoing Controversy

These swift actions have drawn criticism from some quarters.

Pro-gun advocates contend that limiting gun numbers would not have stopped an attack driven by extremist ideology.

They suggest that political capital would be better spent combating radicalisation rather than tightening regulations for the vast majority of licensed individuals.

Furthermore, a long-promised reform from 1996 – a national firearms register – remains incomplete, though it has now been listed as a priority.

Tragedy as a Wake-Up Call

For long-time advocates, the Bondi attack is a stark warning that regulations must be updated with technological advances.

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

While mass shootings remain relatively rare in Australia compared to some nations, the risk persists, and the challenge of weapons being misused – through theft – continues to pose a challenge.

As one advocate noted, "It is unfortunate that it needs such a loss of life to prompt action and pay heed."