The nation of Australia was widely regarded as a global exemplar in gun control – the Bondi tragedy has laid bare a more complicated reality.

On a Sunday afternoon in April 1996, a single attacker armed with rapid-fire weapons took the lives of 35 people in the Tasmanian tourist destination of Port Arthur.

That massacre nearly three decades ago, which sparked some of the toughest gun laws in the world, can seem like a different era for many citizens.

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 Unprecedented Level

A analysis revealed that there are now more than four million privately-owned firearms across the country – a figure that is nearly twice the amount from about 20 years ago.

This translates to approximately one firearm per seven citizens.

While Queensland has the highest number of legal firearms, followed by New South Wales (NSW) and the state of Victoria, it is the island state and the Northern Territory that have the greatest density of weapons.

The data also dispels the common view that guns are mostly possessed by those in the countryside.

Guns are widespread in cities and their outskirts, with a large share located in population centres.

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

Understanding Australia's Present Firearm Regulations?

Gun control laws in Australia are varied across the country, with a mixed implementation of rules across states and territories.

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

The allowable purposes include sport shooting or animal management, target or sport shooting, certain job-related needs, and collecting.

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

Following the Port Arthur massacre, a sweeping overhaul of national gun laws was enacted, leading to a voluntary hand-in of over 650,000 firearms.

Automatic and semi-automatic rifles were banned, and security screenings alongside mandatory cooling-off periods for sales were introduced.

A key tenet of these reforms was the rejection of "personal protection" as a valid reason for gun ownership.

Renewed Demands for Regulatory Tightening

In the immediate aftermath the Bondi shooting, political leaders were forceful about the need to bolster gun laws.

A weapons collection initiative was unveiled, marking the first such effort since 1996.

Other proposals now under consideration include:

• Restricting the number of guns an individual can possess.
• Addressing "open-ended" licensing arrangements.
• Making formal citizenship a requirement for firearm ownership.
• Improving intelligence sharing during licence application processes.

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

A Complicated Debate

These reform efforts have drawn criticism from some quarters.

Pro-gun advocates argue that imposing caps would not have prevented an attack driven by extremist ideology.

They suggest that focus would be better spent improving intelligence rather than restricting lawful owners for the vast majority of law-abiding citizens.

Furthermore, a key proposed reform from 1996 – a country-wide gun database – remains not yet operational, though it has now been listed as a priority.

A Painful Reminder

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

They argue that modernisation is needed to "remain effective" and prevent future tragedies.

While mass shootings remain relatively rare in Australia compared to some nations, the threat persists, and the challenge of firearms circulating illegally – through poor storage – continues to pose a problem.

As one advocate reflected, "It's sad that it takes such a devastating event to focus attention and take notice."