Australia was long seen as a global exemplar in gun control – the Bondi attack has laid bare a much murkier situation.

On a weekend day in 1996, a single attacker wielding semi-automatic rifles took the lives of 35 people in the Australian tourist town of Port Arthur.

That national tragedy nearly three decades ago, which led to some of the strictest weapons policies in the world, can feel like a bygone age for many residents.

However, the tragedy in Bondi this past Sunday, which left 15 dead, has revived the ghosts of the Port Arthur massacre.

Gun Ownership at a Historic Peak

A recent report revealed that there are now more than four million weapons owned by civilians across the country – a figure that is nearly twice the amount from about 20 years ago.

This equates to approximately one gun for every seven Australians.

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 greatest density of weapons.

The data also challenges the widespread belief that guns are mostly possessed by those in the countryside.

Guns are prevalent in metropolitan and suburban areas, with a large share located in major cities.

Critically, there are now firearms concentrated among fewer owners, with the registered individual possessing more than four firearms.

Understanding Australia's Existing Weapons Policies?

Weapons legislation in Australia are not uniform across the country, with a mixed implementation of rules in various regions.

Generally, to apply for a gun licence, an individual must be over 18, deemed a "suitable candidate", pass a training and safety course, and provide a "valid purpose" for ownership.

The permitted justifications include hunting or culling, competitive shooting, certain professional duties, and for collections.

However, significant shortcomings remain. For instance, individuals under 18 in some jurisdictions can have access to a firearm from as young as pre-teen age.

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 "personal protection" as a justifiable cause for gun ownership.

New Push for Firearm Policy Changes

In the immediate aftermath the Bondi shooting, political leaders were unequivocal about the need to tighten gun laws.

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

Other planned reforms now under consideration include:

• Restricting the number of guns an individual can have registered.
• Addressing "perpetual" licensing arrangements.
• Making Australian citizenship a requirement for firearm ownership.
• Improving intelligence sharing during licence application processes.

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

A Complicated Debate

These proposed changes have sparked debate from some quarters.

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

They suggest that political capital would be better spent improving intelligence rather than tightening regulations for the vast majority of licensed individuals.

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

A Painful Reminder

For campaigners, the Bondi attack is a horrific reminder that policies must be updated with technological advances.

They argue that strengthening is needed to "remain effective" and prevent future tragedies.

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

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