Australia was widely regarded as a international standard-bearer in weapons legislation – the Bondi tragedy has laid bare a far more complex reality.

On a spring day in April 1996, a single attacker wielding powerful firearms killed 35 people in the Australian tourist town of Port Arthur.

That horrific event nearly three decades ago, which ushered in some of the most stringent firearm regulations in the world, can appear as a distant memory for many Australians.

However, the shooting at Bondi this past Sunday, which left 15 dead, has revived the ghosts of the Port Arthur massacre.

Gun Ownership at a Record High

A analysis revealed that there are now in excess of four million privately-owned firearms across the country – a figure that is almost double the amount from the late 1990s.

This means approximately a weapon for each small group of people.

While the state of Queensland has the largest arsenal, followed by NSW and the state of Victoria, it is the island state and the Northern Territory that have the most guns per person.

The data also dispels the widespread belief that guns are mainly owned 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 firearms concentrated among fewer owners, with the typical gun owner possessing several firearms.

Understanding Australia's Current Gun Laws?

Weapons legislation in Australia are varied across the country, with a disparate implementation of rules across states and territories.

Generally, to apply for a gun licence, an individual must be of legal age, deemed a "fit and proper person", pass a safety program, and provide a "valid purpose" for ownership.

The accepted reasons include sport shooting or animal management, marksmanship, certain job-related needs, and for collections.

However, significant gaps remain. For instance, individuals under 18 in some jurisdictions can have access to a firearm from as young as early adolescence.

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 banned, and security screenings alongside delays for sales were introduced.

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

Renewed Demands for Firearm Policy Changes

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

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

Other proposals now under consideration include:

• Restricting the number of guns an individual can possess.
• Ending "perpetual" licensing arrangements.
• Making formal 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 "situations evolve" over time.

A Complicated Debate

These swift actions have met with opposition from some quarters.

Pro-gun advocates argue 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 tightening regulations for the great bulk of law-abiding citizens.

Furthermore, a long-promised reform from 1996 – a national firearms register – remains incomplete, though it has now been listed as a key project.

A Painful Reminder

For campaigners, the Bondi attack is a tragic indication that regulations must be updated with changing times.

They argue that reform is needed to "keep up-to-date" and protect public safety.

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

As one advocate noted, "It is unfortunate that it takes such a tragedy to focus attention and pay heed."