Australia had long been viewed as a world leader in gun control – the Bondi attack has laid bare a far more complex situation.

On a weekend day in April 1996, a solitary shooter wielding semi-automatic rifles took the lives of 35 people in the historic site of Port Arthur.

That national tragedy nearly thirty years ago, which led to some of the strictest weapons policies in the world, can seem like a different era for many citizens.

However, the tragedy in Bondi this past Sunday, which claimed 15 lives, has rekindled memories of the Tasmanian tragedy.

Weapons Holdings at a Historic Peak

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

This means approximately one firearm per seven citizens.

While the state of Queensland has the highest number of legal firearms, followed by NSW and the state of Victoria, it is Tasmania and the NT that have the most guns per person.

The data also contradicts the popular notion that guns are mainly owned by rural residents.

Firearms are widespread in urban centres, with a large share located in major cities.

Critically, there are now more guns in fewer hands, with the average licence holder possessing over four firearms.

What Are Australia's Current Gun Laws?

Weapons legislation in Australia are varied across the country, with a mixed implementation of rules between different jurisdictions.

Generally, to apply for a gun licence, an individual must be an adult, deemed a "suitable candidate", pass a safety program, and provide a "legitimate need" for ownership.

The allowable purposes include recreational hunting or pest control, target or sport shooting, certain job-related needs, and for collections.

However, significant loopholes remain. For instance, young people in some jurisdictions can have access to a firearm from as young as early adolescence.

Following the Port Arthur massacre, a sweeping overhaul of national gun laws was enacted, leading to a massive buyback of over 650,000 firearms.

Certain types of firearms were outlawed, 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.

Renewed Demands for Regulatory Tightening

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

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

Other proposals now under consideration include:

• Capping the number of guns an individual can legally own.
• Reforming "open-ended" licensing arrangements.
• Making Australian citizenship a condition for firearm ownership.
• Enhancing intelligence sharing during licence application processes.

There are also calls for periodic reassessments of existing licence holders, acknowledging that "situations evolve" over time.

A Complicated Debate

These reform efforts have sparked debate from some quarters.

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

They suggest that political capital would be better spent addressing root causes rather than changing laws for the great bulk of law-abiding citizens.

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

A Catalyst for Change

For long-time advocates, the Bondi attack is a tragic indication that regulations must be updated with changing times.

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

While mass shootings remain relatively rare in Australia compared to some nations, the potential persists, and the ongoing issue of guns in the wrong hands – through black markets – continues to pose a problem.

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