Australia was widely regarded as a global exemplar in gun control – the Bondi attack has laid bare a much murkier truth.

On a weekend day in April 1996, a solitary shooter armed with rapid-fire weapons killed 35 people in the Tasmanian tourist destination of Port Arthur.

That national tragedy nearly a generation ago, which led to some of the toughest firearm regulations in the world, can seem like a distant memory for many residents.

However, the shooting at Bondi this past Sunday, which resulted in 15 fatalities, has brought back painful recollections of the 1996 shootings.

Gun Ownership at a Record High

A recent report revealed that there are now more than four million weapons owned by civilians across the country – a figure that is almost double the amount from two decades prior.

This equates to approximately one gun for every seven Australians.

While Queensland has the largest arsenal, followed by New South Wales (NSW) and the state of Victoria, it is the island state and the NT that have the most guns per person.

The data also dispels the common view that guns are primarily held by people in regional areas.

Guns are prevalent in urban centres, with a sizable percentage located in population centres.

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

Examining Australia's Present Firearm Regulations?

Gun control laws in Australia are varied across the country, with a mixed implementation of rules between different jurisdictions.

Broadly speaking, to apply for a gun licence, an individual must be an adult, deemed a "fit and proper person", pass a safety program, and provide a "legitimate need" for ownership.

The permitted justifications include recreational hunting or pest control, marksmanship, certain professional duties, and as a hobby.

However, significant gaps remain. For instance, individuals under 18 in some jurisdictions 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.

Certain types of firearms were banned, and vetting procedures alongside mandatory cooling-off periods for sales were introduced.

A key tenet of these reforms was the rejection of "personal protection" as a valid reason for gun ownership.

Fresh Calls for Gun Law Reform

In the wake the Bondi shooting, political leaders were forceful about the need to bolster gun laws.

A weapons collection initiative was unveiled, marking the first such effort since 1996.

Other proposals now under consideration include:

• Limiting the number of guns an individual can have registered.
• Reforming "perpetual" licensing arrangements.
• Making formal citizenship a condition for firearm ownership.
• Improving intelligence sharing during vetting processes.

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

A Complicated Debate

These proposed changes have drawn criticism from some quarters.

Pro-gun advocates contend that restricting ownership would not have prevented an attack driven by extremist ideology.

They suggest that political capital would be better spent combating radicalisation rather than restricting lawful owners for the overwhelming number of law-abiding citizens.

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

A Painful Reminder

For campaigners, the Bondi attack is a stark warning that policies must evolve with technological advances.

They argue that reform is needed to "address deficiencies" and protect public safety.

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

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