The nation of Australia was widely regarded as a global exemplar in gun control – the Bondi tragedy has exposed a much murkier reality.

On a Sunday afternoon in 1996, a solitary shooter using powerful firearms murdered 35 people in the Australian tourist town of Port Arthur.

That national tragedy nearly thirty years ago, which sparked some of the toughest weapons policies in the world, can appear as a distant memory for many residents.

However, the tragedy in Bondi this past Sunday, which resulted in 15 fatalities, has brought back painful recollections of the Tasmanian tragedy.

Weapons Holdings at a Historic Peak

A analysis revealed that there are now over four million privately-owned firearms across the country – a figure that is nearly twice 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 New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria, it is the island state and the NT that have the greatest density of weapons.

The data also contradicts the widespread belief that guns are mostly possessed by rural residents.

Guns are common in cities and their outskirts, with a large share located in major cities.

Critically, there are now more guns in fewer hands, with the typical gun owner possessing over four firearms.

What Are Australia's Existing Weapons Policies?

Gun control laws in Australia are not uniform across the country, with a patchwork implementation of rules across states and territories.

Typically, to secure a gun licence, an individual must be an adult, deemed a "suitable candidate", pass a safety program, and provide a "genuine reason" for ownership.

The permitted justifications include recreational hunting or pest control, marksmanship, certain professional duties, and collecting.

However, significant shortcomings remain. For instance, young people in some jurisdictions can have supervision 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.

Certain types of firearms were banned, and security screenings alongside delays 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 unequivocal about the need to bolster gun laws.

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

Other proposals now under consideration include:

• Capping the number of guns an individual can legally own.
• Ending "indefinite" licensing arrangements.
• Making permanent residency a requirement for firearm ownership.
• Improving intelligence sharing during vetting processes.

There are also calls for regular reviews of existing licence holders, acknowledging that "situations evolve" over time.

A Complicated Debate

These reform efforts have drawn criticism from some quarters.

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

They suggest that focus would be better spent improving intelligence rather than tightening regulations for the vast majority of licensed individuals.

Furthermore, a critical reform from 1996 – a centralised weapon tracking system – remains not yet operational, though it has now been listed as a key project.

A Painful Reminder

For reformers, the Bondi attack is a horrific reminder that policies must evolve with new threats.

They argue that reform is needed to "keep up-to-date" and safeguard communities.

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

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