Australia was long seen as a international standard-bearer in gun control – Bondi has exposed a much murkier reality.

On a weekend day in the year 1996, a lone gunman using powerful firearms took the lives of 35 people in the historic site of Port Arthur.

That massacre nearly thirty years ago, which ushered in some of the toughest firearm regulations in the world, can feel like a different era for many residents.

However, the Bondi Beach attack this past Sunday, which claimed 15 lives, has revived the ghosts of the Tasmanian tragedy.

Firearm Possession at a Unprecedented Level

A recent report revealed that there are now more than four million privately-owned firearms across the country – a figure that is roughly two times the amount from the late 1990s.

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

While Queensland has the largest arsenal, followed by NSW and the state of Victoria, it is Tasmania and the NT that have the highest rate of firearm ownership.

The data also dispels the widespread belief that guns are primarily held by rural residents.

Firearms are common in cities and their outskirts, with a sizable percentage located in major cities.

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

Understanding Australia's Present Firearm Regulations?

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

Typically, to secure a gun licence, an individual must be an adult, deemed a "suitable candidate", pass a competency test, and provide a "valid purpose" for ownership.

The accepted reasons include sport shooting or animal management, competitive shooting, certain job-related needs, and as a hobby.

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

Following the Port Arthur massacre, a major rewrite of national gun laws was enacted, leading to a massive buyback of over 650,000 firearms.

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

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

Fresh Calls for Firearm Policy Changes

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

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

Other suggested measures now under consideration include:

• Limiting the number of guns an individual can have registered.
• Ending "open-ended" licensing arrangements.
• Making Australian citizenship a condition for firearm ownership.
• Strengthening intelligence sharing during licence application 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 reform efforts have drawn criticism from some quarters.

Pro-gun advocates contend that imposing caps would not have averted an attack driven by radicalisation.

They suggest that focus would be better spent improving intelligence rather than tightening regulations for the overwhelming number of law-abiding citizens.

Furthermore, a critical reform from 1996 – a national firearms register – remains unfinished, though it has now been listed as a key project.

A Catalyst for Change

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

They argue that modernisation is needed to "address deficiencies" and safeguard communities.

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 poor storage – continues to pose a challenge.

As one advocate stated, "It's sad that it requires such a tragedy to focus attention and take notice."