The nation of Australia was widely regarded as a global exemplar in firearm regulation – Bondi has revealed a more complicated reality.

On a Sunday afternoon in April 1996, a solitary shooter wielding powerful firearms murdered 35 people in the Australian tourist town of Port Arthur.

That massacre nearly a generation ago, which sparked some of the strictest gun laws in the world, can appear as a bygone age for many Australians.

However, the shooting at Bondi this past Sunday, which left 15 dead, has revived the ghosts of the 1996 shootings.

Firearm Possession at a Unprecedented Level

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

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 Northern Territory that have the greatest density of weapons.

The data also challenges the popular notion that guns are primarily held by people in regional areas.

Guns are prevalent in cities and their outskirts, with a sizable percentage located in major cities.

Critically, there are now firearms concentrated among fewer owners, with the average licence holder possessing over four firearms.

What Are Australia's Present Firearm Regulations?

Gun control laws in Australia are varied across the country, with a patchwork implementation of rules across states and territories.

Typically, to obtain a gun licence, an individual must be over 18, deemed a "suitable candidate", pass a competency test, and provide a "valid purpose" for ownership.

The allowable purposes include sport shooting or animal management, target or sport shooting, certain occupational requirements, and for collections.

However, significant gaps remain. For instance, minors in some jurisdictions can have access to 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 voluntary hand-in of over 650,000 firearms.

Certain types of firearms were prohibited, and security screenings alongside mandatory cooling-off 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 immediate aftermath the Bondi shooting, political leaders were unequivocal about the need to bolster gun laws.

A national gun buyback scheme was announced, marking the most significant such effort since 1996.

Other planned reforms now under consideration include:

• Limiting the number of guns an individual can legally own.
• Addressing "indefinite" licensing arrangements.
• Making permanent residency a condition for firearm ownership.
• Improving intelligence sharing during background check processes.

There are also calls for regular reviews of existing licence holders, acknowledging that "people's circumstances can change" over time.

An Ongoing Controversy

These proposed changes have met with opposition from some quarters.

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

They suggest that political capital would be better spent improving intelligence rather than restricting lawful owners for the great bulk of responsible owners.

Furthermore, a long-promised reform from 1996 – a centralised weapon tracking system – remains unfinished, though it has now been listed as a priority.

A Catalyst for Change

For long-time advocates, the Bondi attack is a tragic indication that policies must keep pace with new threats.

They argue that reform 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 legacy of firearms circulating illegally – through theft – continues to pose a danger.

As one advocate reflected, "It is regrettable that it needs such a devastating event to prompt action and pay heed."