Australia was long seen as a world leader in weapons legislation – the Bondi attack has revealed a much murkier situation.

On a weekend day in 1996, a lone gunman using semi-automatic rifles took the lives of 35 people in the historic site of Port Arthur.

That horrific event nearly a generation ago, which led to some of the toughest weapons policies in the world, can feel like a bygone age for many Australians.

However, the shooting at Bondi this past Sunday, which resulted in 15 fatalities, has brought back painful recollections of the 1996 shootings.

Firearm Possession at a Unprecedented Level

A study released earlier this year revealed that there are now in excess of four million guns in private hands across the country – a figure that is nearly twice the amount from about 20 years ago.

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

While the state of Queensland has the highest number of legal firearms, 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 popular notion that guns are mostly possessed by those in the countryside.

Firearms are prevalent in metropolitan and suburban areas, with a large share located in major cities.

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

Understanding Australia's Present Firearm Regulations?

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

Broadly speaking, to obtain a gun licence, an individual must be over 18, deemed a "suitable candidate", pass a safety program, and provide a "legitimate need" for ownership.

The permitted justifications include hunting or culling, competitive shooting, certain professional duties, and as a hobby.

However, significant gaps remain. For instance, young people in some areas can have supervision of a firearm from as young as 10 or 12 years old.

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

Automatic and semi-automatic rifles were prohibited, and background checks alongside mandatory cooling-off periods for sales were introduced.

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

New Push for Firearm Policy Changes

In the hours following the Bondi shooting, political leaders were clear about the need to strengthen gun laws.

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

Other proposals now under consideration include:

• Restricting the number of guns an individual can have registered.
• Ending "perpetual" licensing arrangements.
• Making Australian citizenship a prerequisite for firearm ownership.
• Strengthening intelligence sharing during vetting processes.

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

A Complicated Debate

These reform efforts have met with opposition from some quarters.

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

They suggest that political capital would be better spent combating radicalisation rather than tightening regulations for the great bulk of responsible owners.

Furthermore, a key proposed reform from 1996 – a country-wide gun database – remains incomplete, though it has now been listed as a urgent task.

A Catalyst for Change

For long-time advocates, the Bondi attack is a tragic indication that policies must evolve with new threats.

They argue that strengthening is needed to "keep up-to-date" and prevent future tragedies.

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

As one advocate stated, "It is unfortunate that it takes such a tragedy to prompt action and listen."