Australia was long seen as a world leader in firearm regulation – the Bondi attack has revealed a more complicated reality.

On a weekend day in 1996, a solitary shooter armed with semi-automatic rifles murdered 35 people in the historic site of Port Arthur.

That national tragedy nearly three decades ago, which sparked some of the strictest weapons policies in the world, can appear as a different era for many citizens.

However, the Bondi Beach attack this past Sunday, which left 15 dead, has rekindled memories of the Tasmanian tragedy.

Firearm Possession at a Unprecedented Level

A recent report revealed that there are now over four million privately-owned firearms across the country – a figure that is nearly twice the amount from two decades prior.

This means approximately one firearm per seven citizens.

While Queensland has the largest arsenal, followed by NSW and the state of 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 mainly owned by those in the countryside.

Firearms are prevalent in metropolitan and suburban areas, with a large share located in urban hubs.

Critically, there are now firearms concentrated among fewer owners, with the typical gun owner possessing more than four firearms.

What Are Australia's Present Firearm Regulations?

Weapons legislation in Australia are not uniform across the country, with a disparate implementation of rules between different jurisdictions.

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

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

However, significant gaps remain. For instance, individuals under 18 in some states 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 massive buyback of over 650,000 firearms.

Certain types of firearms were prohibited, and security screenings alongside delays for sales were introduced.

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

New Push for Firearm Policy Changes

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

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

Other planned reforms now under consideration include:

• Capping the number of guns an individual can legally own.
• Reforming "open-ended" licensing arrangements.
• Making Australian citizenship a prerequisite for firearm ownership.
• Enhancing 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 proposed changes have sparked debate from some quarters.

Pro-gun advocates contend that imposing caps would not have averted an attack driven by radicalisation.

They suggest that resources would be better spent addressing root causes rather than tightening regulations for the vast majority of licensed individuals.

Furthermore, a long-promised reform from 1996 – a country-wide gun database – remains unfinished, though it has now been listed as a key project.

Tragedy as a Wake-Up Call

For reformers, the Bondi attack is a stark warning that gun laws must be updated with technological advances.

They argue that reform is needed to "address deficiencies" and protect public safety.

While mass shootings remain uncommon in Australia compared to some nations, the threat persists, and the challenge of guns in the wrong hands – through poor storage – continues to pose a challenge.

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