Australia had long been viewed as a international standard-bearer in firearm regulation – the Bondi tragedy has laid bare a much murkier reality.

On a weekend day in April 1996, a lone gunman using rapid-fire weapons murdered 35 people in the historic site of Port Arthur.

That massacre nearly thirty years ago, which sparked some of the most stringent firearm regulations in the world, can feel like a distant memory for many Australians.

However, the shooting at Bondi this past Sunday, which resulted in 15 fatalities, has brought back painful recollections of the 1996 shootings.

Gun Ownership at a Record High

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 translates to approximately one gun for every seven Australians.

While the state of Queensland has the most registered guns, followed by New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria, it is the island state and the NT that have the most guns per person.

The data also dispels the popular notion that guns are mostly possessed by those in the countryside.

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

Critically, there are now more guns in fewer hands, with the registered individual possessing over four firearms.

What Are Australia's Present Firearm Regulations?

Gun control laws in Australia are varied across the country, with a mixed implementation of rules between different jurisdictions.

Broadly speaking, to apply for a gun licence, an individual must be an adult, deemed a "suitable candidate", pass a competency test, and provide a "legitimate need" for ownership.

The accepted reasons include hunting or culling, competitive shooting, certain professional duties, and for collections.

However, significant shortcomings remain. For instance, young people in some jurisdictions can have use of a firearm from as young as 10 or 12 years old.

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

Rapid-fire weapons were outlawed, and security screenings alongside waiting periods for sales were introduced.

A key tenet of these reforms was the rejection of "self-defence" as a acceptable grounds for gun ownership.

Renewed Demands for Gun Law Reform

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

A weapons collection initiative was announced, marking the largest such effort since 1996.

Other proposals now under consideration include:

• Capping the number of guns an individual can have registered.
• Addressing "indefinite" licensing arrangements.
• Making formal citizenship a prerequisite for firearm ownership.
• Enhancing 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.

A Complicated Debate

These proposed changes have sparked debate from some quarters.

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

They suggest that political capital would be better spent combating radicalisation rather than restricting lawful owners for the vast majority of licensed individuals.

Furthermore, a key proposed reform from 1996 – a country-wide gun database – remains unfinished, though it has now been listed as a urgent task.

A Painful Reminder

For campaigners, the Bondi attack is a horrific reminder that gun laws must evolve with changing times.

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

While mass shootings remain infrequent in Australia compared to some nations, the risk persists, and the challenge of weapons being misused – through theft – continues to pose a challenge.

As one advocate noted, "It is unfortunate that it needs such a devastating event to focus attention and take notice."