Australia had long been viewed as a world leader in gun control – the Bondi tragedy has exposed a more complicated truth.

On a weekend day in 1996, a single attacker using semi-automatic rifles took the lives of 35 people in the historic site of Port Arthur.

That massacre nearly three decades ago, which ushered in some of the strictest weapons policies in the world, can feel like a different era for many residents.

However, the shooting at Bondi this past Sunday, which resulted in 15 fatalities, has rekindled memories of the Port Arthur massacre.

Gun Ownership at a Record High

A analysis revealed that there are now in excess of four million weapons owned by civilians across the country – a figure that is almost double the amount from about 20 years ago.

This translates to approximately one gun for every seven Australians.

While the state of Queensland has the largest arsenal, followed by New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria, it is the island state and the Northern Territory that have the greatest density of weapons.

The data also contradicts the popular notion that guns are mostly possessed by rural residents.

Firearms are widespread in urban centres, with a large share located in urban hubs.

Critically, there are now more guns in fewer hands, with the average licence holder possessing several firearms.

Examining Australia's Current Gun Laws?

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

Typically, to obtain a gun licence, an individual must be of legal age, deemed a "suitable candidate", pass a competency test, and provide a "genuine reason" for ownership.

The allowable purposes include recreational hunting or pest control, target or sport shooting, certain occupational requirements, and as a hobby.

However, significant loopholes remain. For instance, young people in some areas can have use of 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 security screenings alongside waiting periods for sales were introduced.

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

New Push for Gun Law Reform

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

A weapons collection initiative was announced, marking the most significant such effort since 1996.

Other suggested measures now under consideration include:

• Restricting the number of guns an individual can legally own.
• Reforming "perpetual" licensing arrangements.
• Making permanent residency a requirement for firearm ownership.
• Improving intelligence sharing during background check processes.

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

An Ongoing Controversy

These proposed changes have sparked debate 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 improving intelligence rather than changing laws for the great bulk of responsible owners.

Furthermore, a long-promised reform from 1996 – a country-wide gun database – remains incomplete, though it has now been listed as a priority.

Tragedy as a Wake-Up Call

For campaigners, the Bondi attack is a horrific reminder that gun laws must evolve with new threats.

They argue that reform is needed to "remain effective" and protect public safety.

While mass shootings remain uncommon in Australia compared to some nations, the potential persists, and the ongoing issue of guns in the wrong hands – through theft – continues to pose a challenge.

As one advocate stated, "It is unfortunate that it requires such a loss of life to get people to wake up and listen."