Australia had long been viewed as a world leader in firearm regulation – the Bondi tragedy has laid bare a more complicated situation.

On a spring day in the year 1996, a lone gunman using rapid-fire weapons murdered 35 people in the Tasmanian tourist destination of Port Arthur.

That massacre nearly three decades ago, which ushered in some of the most stringent weapons policies in the world, can feel like a bygone age for many citizens.

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

Gun Ownership at a Record High

A analysis revealed that there are now more than four million guns in private hands across the country – a figure that is almost double the amount from the late 1990s.

This equates to approximately one firearm per seven citizens.

While the state of Queensland has the most registered guns, 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 common view that guns are primarily held by those in the countryside.

Weapons are widespread in urban centres, with a large share located in population centres.

Critically, there are now weapons owned by a smaller group, with the registered individual possessing more than four firearms.

Examining Australia's Present Firearm Regulations?

Firearm regulations in Australia are varied across the country, with a disparate implementation of rules in various regions.

Generally, to obtain a gun licence, an individual must be over 18, deemed a "fit and proper person", pass a safety program, and provide a "valid purpose" for ownership.

The permitted justifications include sport shooting or animal management, target or sport shooting, certain professional duties, and as a hobby.

However, significant gaps remain. For instance, minors in some areas can have use of a firearm from as young as early adolescence.

Following the Port Arthur massacre, a major rewrite 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 "home security" as a valid reason 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 national gun buyback scheme was proposed, marking the first such effort since 1996.

Other planned reforms now under consideration include:

• Limiting the number of guns an individual can possess.
• Addressing "indefinite" licensing arrangements.
• Making Australian citizenship a condition for firearm ownership.
• Strengthening intelligence sharing during vetting processes.

There are also calls for periodic reassessments of existing licence holders, acknowledging that "individuals can be radicalised" over time.

A Nuanced Discussion

These swift actions have drawn criticism from some quarters.

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

They suggest that political capital would be better spent improving intelligence rather than restricting lawful owners for the overwhelming number of licensed individuals.

Furthermore, a long-promised reform from 1996 – a national firearms register – remains not yet operational, though it has now been listed as a key project.

A Painful Reminder

For reformers, the Bondi attack is a tragic indication that policies must keep pace with changing times.

They argue that strengthening is needed to "remain effective" and safeguard communities.

While mass shootings remain infrequent in Australia compared to some nations, the threat persists, and the legacy of firearms circulating illegally – through black markets – continues to pose a challenge.

As one advocate stated, "It's sad that it needs such a tragedy to focus attention and take notice."