The nation of Australia had long been viewed as a world leader in gun control – Bondi has revealed a far more complex truth.

On a weekend day in 1996, a single attacker armed with powerful firearms killed 35 people in the historic site of Port Arthur.

That national tragedy nearly three decades ago, which sparked some of the toughest firearm regulations in the world, can seem like a different era for many residents.

However, the shooting at Bondi this past Sunday, which resulted in 15 fatalities, has revived the ghosts of the Tasmanian tragedy.

Weapons Holdings at a Unprecedented Level

A recent report revealed that there are now more than four million weapons owned by civilians across the country – a figure that is roughly two times the amount from about 20 years ago.

This means approximately one gun for every seven Australians.

While the state of Queensland has the most registered guns, followed by New South Wales (NSW) and the state of Victoria, it is Tasmania and the Northern Territory that have the highest rate of firearm ownership.

The data also contradicts the popular notion that guns are primarily held by people in regional areas.

Guns are common in cities and their outskirts, with a significant portion located in population centres.

Critically, there are now more guns in fewer hands, with the average licence holder possessing several firearms.

Examining Australia's Current Gun Laws?

Firearm regulations in Australia are inconsistent across the country, with a disparate implementation of rules between different jurisdictions.

Generally, to secure a gun licence, an individual must be of legal age, deemed a "suitable candidate", pass a safety program, and provide a "legitimate need" for ownership.

The allowable purposes include sport shooting or animal management, competitive shooting, certain professional duties, and for collections.

However, significant shortcomings remain. For instance, minors in some states can have supervision 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.

Automatic and semi-automatic rifles 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 valid reason for gun ownership.

Fresh Calls for Gun Law Reform

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

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

Other suggested measures now under consideration include:

• Restricting the number of guns an individual can have registered.
• Ending "open-ended" licensing arrangements.
• Making permanent residency a condition for firearm ownership.
• Strengthening intelligence sharing during licence application processes.

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

An Ongoing Controversy

These proposed changes have sparked debate from some quarters.

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

They suggest that focus would be better spent improving intelligence rather than changing laws for the overwhelming number of responsible owners.

Furthermore, a long-promised reform from 1996 – a centralised weapon tracking system – remains incomplete, though it has now been listed as a urgent task.

Tragedy as a Wake-Up Call

For long-time advocates, the Bondi attack is a horrific reminder that gun laws must keep pace with changing times.

They argue that strengthening is needed to "keep up-to-date" and protect public safety.

While mass shootings remain relatively rare in Australia compared to some nations, the potential persists, and the ongoing issue of firearms circulating illegally – through black markets – continues to pose a danger.

As one advocate reflected, "It is regrettable that it requires such a tragedy to prompt action and pay heed."