Australia was widely regarded as a world leader in firearm regulation – Bondi has revealed a far more complex reality.

On a weekend day in April 1996, a lone gunman armed with rapid-fire weapons took the lives of 35 people in the historic site of Port Arthur.

That massacre nearly a generation ago, which led to some of the most stringent gun laws in the world, can seem like a different era for many Australians.

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

Firearm Possession at a Historic Peak

A analysis 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 the late 1990s.

This means approximately one firearm per seven citizens.

While Queensland has the most registered guns, 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 challenges the widespread belief that guns are mostly possessed by people in regional areas.

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

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

What Are Australia's Present Firearm Regulations?

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 over 18, deemed a "fit and proper person", pass a competency test, and provide a "legitimate need" for ownership.

The permitted justifications include hunting or culling, competitive shooting, certain professional duties, and as a hobby.

However, significant gaps remain. For instance, young people in some jurisdictions can have supervision of a firearm from as young as 10 or 12 years old.

Following the Port Arthur massacre, a sweeping overhaul of national gun laws was enacted, leading to a large-scale surrender scheme of over 650,000 firearms.

Rapid-fire weapons were outlawed, and security screenings alongside delays for sales were introduced.

A key tenet of these reforms was the rejection of "self-defence" as a valid reason for gun ownership.

Renewed Demands for Regulatory Tightening

In the wake the Bondi shooting, political leaders were clear about the need to tighten gun laws.

A country-wide firearm surrender program was unveiled, marking the first such effort since 1996.

Other proposals now under consideration include:

• Limiting the number of guns an individual can possess.
• Addressing "indefinite" licensing arrangements.
• Making Australian citizenship a requirement for firearm ownership.
• Enhancing intelligence sharing during licence application processes.

There are also calls for regular reviews 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 maintain that limiting gun numbers would not have stopped an attack driven by violent beliefs.

They suggest that resources 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 country-wide gun database – 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 gun laws must be updated with technological advances.

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

While mass shootings remain relatively rare in Australia compared to some nations, the risk persists, and the challenge of guns in the wrong hands – through theft – continues to pose a problem.

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