Australia was widely regarded as a world leader in weapons legislation – the Bondi tragedy has laid bare a much murkier truth.

On a Sunday afternoon in 1996, a solitary shooter using powerful firearms killed 35 people in the historic site of Port Arthur.

That horrific event nearly a generation ago, which sparked some of the strictest firearm regulations in the world, can appear as a bygone age for many residents.

However, the tragedy in Bondi this past Sunday, which claimed 15 lives, has brought back painful recollections of the 1996 shootings.

Firearm Possession at a Record High

A study released earlier this year revealed that there are now in excess of four million weapons owned by civilians across the country – a figure that is roughly two times the amount from about 20 years ago.

This translates to approximately one gun for every seven Australians.

While Queensland has the most registered guns, followed by NSW and the state of Victoria, it is the island state and the NT that have the highest rate of firearm ownership.

The data also dispels the widespread belief that guns are mostly possessed by rural residents.

Firearms are widespread in urban centres, with a sizable percentage located in major cities.

Critically, there are now firearms concentrated among fewer owners, with the typical gun owner possessing over four firearms.

What Are Australia's Present Firearm Regulations?

Gun control laws in Australia are not uniform across the country, with a mixed implementation of rules in various regions.

Typically, to obtain a gun licence, an individual must be over 18, deemed a "responsible individual", pass a competency test, and provide a "genuine reason" for ownership.

The permitted justifications include recreational hunting or pest control, target or sport shooting, certain occupational requirements, and collecting.

However, significant loopholes remain. For instance, individuals under 18 in some states can have access to a firearm from as young as early adolescence.

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 prohibited, and security screenings alongside waiting periods for sales were introduced.

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

Renewed Demands for Gun Law Reform

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

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

Other planned reforms now under consideration include:

• Capping the number of guns an individual can have registered.
• Ending "indefinite" licensing arrangements.
• Making permanent residency a requirement for firearm ownership.
• Enhancing intelligence sharing during licence application processes.

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

An Ongoing Controversy

These reform efforts have sparked debate from some quarters.

Pro-gun advocates argue that limiting gun numbers would not have averted an attack driven by violent beliefs.

They suggest that focus would be better spent improving intelligence rather than tightening regulations for the great bulk of licensed individuals.

Furthermore, a critical reform from 1996 – a centralised weapon tracking system – remains unfinished, though it has now been listed as a urgent task.

A Painful Reminder

For long-time advocates, the Bondi attack is a horrific reminder that regulations must keep pace with technological advances.

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

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 poor storage – continues to pose a danger.

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