The nation of Australia was widely regarded as a global exemplar in weapons legislation – the Bondi attack has revealed a far more complex situation.

On a Sunday afternoon in April 1996, a solitary shooter wielding rapid-fire weapons killed 35 people in the historic site of Port Arthur.

That massacre nearly a generation ago, which ushered in some of the toughest weapons policies in the world, can appear as a distant memory for many Australians.

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

Gun Ownership at a Unprecedented Level

A recent report revealed that there are now over four million guns in private hands across the country – a figure that is roughly two times the amount from the late 1990s.

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

While Queensland has the most registered guns, followed by NSW and the state of Victoria, it is the island state and the Northern Territory that have the highest rate of firearm ownership.

The data also dispels the common view that guns are mainly owned by people in regional areas.

Firearms are prevalent in cities and their outskirts, with a large share located in major cities.

Critically, there are now firearms concentrated among fewer owners, with the average licence holder possessing over four firearms.

Understanding Australia's Present Firearm Regulations?

Gun control laws in Australia are varied across the country, with a mixed implementation of rules in various regions.

Broadly speaking, to obtain a gun licence, an individual must be of legal age, deemed a "responsible individual", pass a competency test, and provide a "legitimate need" for ownership.

The allowable purposes include hunting or culling, competitive shooting, certain job-related needs, and for collections.

However, significant loopholes remain. For instance, minors 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 massive buyback of over 650,000 firearms.

Certain types of firearms were banned, and vetting procedures alongside delays for sales were introduced.

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

Fresh Calls for Gun Law Reform

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

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

Other planned reforms now under consideration include:

• Capping the number of guns an individual can have registered.
• Addressing "open-ended" licensing arrangements.
• Making Australian citizenship a prerequisite for firearm ownership.
• Enhancing intelligence sharing during vetting processes.

There are also calls for regular reviews of existing licence holders, acknowledging that "individuals can be radicalised" over time.

A Nuanced Discussion

These swift actions have drawn criticism from some quarters.

Pro-gun advocates maintain that restricting ownership would not have stopped an attack driven by violent beliefs.

They suggest that resources would be better spent addressing root causes rather than changing laws for the vast majority of law-abiding citizens.

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

A Catalyst for Change

For long-time advocates, the Bondi attack is a tragic indication that policies must be updated with technological advances.

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

While mass shootings remain infrequent in Australia compared to some nations, the potential persists, and the ongoing issue of weapons being misused – through black markets – continues to pose a danger.

As one advocate reflected, "It is regrettable that it needs such a tragedy to prompt action and listen."