Australia had long been viewed as a global exemplar in firearm regulation – the Bondi attack has laid bare a much murkier situation.

On a weekend day in 1996, a lone gunman wielding rapid-fire weapons killed 35 people in the Australian tourist town of Port Arthur.

That national tragedy nearly three decades ago, which sparked some of the most stringent firearm regulations in the world, can seem like a distant memory for many residents.

However, the Bondi Beach attack this past Sunday, which claimed 15 lives, has revived the ghosts of the Port Arthur massacre.

Weapons Holdings at a Historic Peak

A analysis revealed that there are now over four million guns in private hands across the country – a figure that is roughly two times the amount from about 20 years ago.

This means approximately one gun for every seven Australians.

While the state of Queensland has the highest number of legal firearms, followed by NSW and Victoria, it is Tasmania and the NT that have the greatest density of weapons.

The data also challenges the popular notion that guns are mainly owned by those in the countryside.

Guns are common in cities and their outskirts, with a large share located in urban hubs.

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

Understanding Australia's Present Firearm Regulations?

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

Typically, to secure a gun licence, an individual must be over 18, deemed a "responsible individual", pass a safety program, and provide a "genuine reason" for ownership.

The permitted justifications include sport shooting or animal management, target or sport shooting, certain professional duties, and for collections.

However, significant shortcomings remain. For instance, individuals under 18 in some states 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 banned, and background checks alongside waiting periods for sales were introduced.

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

Fresh Calls for Firearm Policy Changes

In the hours following the Bondi shooting, political leaders were unequivocal about the need to bolster gun laws.

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

Other planned reforms now under consideration include:

• Limiting the number of guns an individual can have registered.
• Addressing "open-ended" licensing arrangements.
• Making permanent residency a condition for firearm ownership.
• Enhancing intelligence sharing during vetting processes.

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

A Nuanced Discussion

These reform efforts have met with opposition from some quarters.

Pro-gun advocates maintain that imposing caps would not have stopped an attack driven by violent beliefs.

They suggest that resources would be better spent addressing root causes rather than restricting lawful owners for the great bulk of licensed individuals.

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.

Tragedy as a Wake-Up Call

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

They argue that modernisation is needed to "remain effective" and safeguard communities.

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

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