The nation of Australia was long seen as a world leader in firearm regulation – the Bondi attack has laid bare a far more complex reality.

On a Sunday afternoon in April 1996, a solitary shooter using semi-automatic rifles took the lives of 35 people in the historic site of Port Arthur.

That horrific event nearly a generation ago, which led to some of the toughest gun laws in the world, can appear as a bygone age for many Australians.

However, the Bondi Beach attack this past Sunday, which left 15 dead, has rekindled memories of the 1996 shootings.

Gun Ownership at a Unprecedented Level

A recent report revealed that there are now over four million guns in private hands across the country – a figure that is roughly two times the amount from two decades prior.

This means approximately one firearm per seven citizens.

While the state of Queensland has the largest arsenal, followed by New South Wales (NSW) and 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.

Weapons are common in cities and their outskirts, with a sizable percentage located in urban hubs.

Critically, there are now more guns in fewer hands, with the typical gun owner possessing over four firearms.

What Are Australia's Current Gun Laws?

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

Generally, to secure a gun licence, an individual must be of legal age, deemed a "suitable candidate", pass a competency test, and provide a "valid purpose" for ownership.

The accepted reasons include hunting or culling, marksmanship, certain occupational requirements, and for collections.

However, significant shortcomings remain. For instance, individuals under 18 in some areas 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.

Automatic and semi-automatic rifles were banned, and background checks alongside waiting periods for sales were introduced.

A key tenet of these reforms was the elimination of "self-defence" as a acceptable grounds 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 weapons collection initiative was proposed, marking the largest such effort since 1996.

Other suggested measures now under consideration include:

• Restricting the number of guns an individual can have registered.
• Addressing "indefinite" licensing arrangements.
• Making formal citizenship a prerequisite for firearm ownership.
• Improving intelligence sharing during background check processes.

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

A Nuanced Discussion

These swift actions have sparked debate from some quarters.

Pro-gun advocates maintain that imposing caps would not have stopped an attack driven by violent beliefs.

They suggest that focus would be better spent addressing root causes rather than tightening regulations for the overwhelming number of licensed individuals.

Furthermore, a critical reform from 1996 – a national firearms register – 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 tragic indication that regulations must keep pace with changing times.

They argue that reform is needed to "keep up-to-date" and prevent future tragedies.

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

As one advocate reflected, "It is regrettable that it needs such a tragedy to prompt action and listen."