The nation of Australia was long seen as a international standard-bearer in firearm regulation – the Bondi attack has exposed a much murkier truth.

On a weekend day in the year 1996, a single attacker using semi-automatic rifles killed 35 people in the Tasmanian tourist destination of Port Arthur.

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

However, the Bondi Beach attack this past Sunday, which resulted in 15 fatalities, has rekindled memories of the Tasmanian tragedy.

Weapons Holdings at a Unprecedented Level

A recent report revealed that there are now more than four million privately-owned firearms across the country – a figure that is nearly twice the amount from the late 1990s.

This means approximately one gun for every seven Australians.

While Queensland has the highest number of legal firearms, followed by NSW and Victoria, it is the island state and the NT that have the most guns per person.

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

Firearms are common in urban centres, with a significant portion located in urban hubs.

Critically, there are now more guns in fewer hands, with the registered individual possessing more than four firearms.

Understanding Australia's Current Gun Laws?

Firearm regulations in Australia are inconsistent across the country, with a patchwork implementation of rules in various regions.

Generally, to secure a gun licence, an individual must be of legal age, deemed a "fit and proper person", pass a competency test, and provide a "legitimate need" for ownership.

The allowable purposes include sport shooting or animal management, competitive 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 pre-teen age.

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.

Rapid-fire weapons were banned, and background checks alongside delays for sales were introduced.

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

Fresh Calls for Firearm Policy Changes

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

A national gun buyback scheme was announced, marking the first such effort since 1996.

Other planned reforms now under consideration include:

• Capping the number of guns an individual can legally own.
• Reforming "open-ended" licensing arrangements.
• Making permanent residency a condition for firearm ownership.
• Strengthening 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 met with opposition from some quarters.

Pro-gun advocates maintain that restricting ownership would not have prevented an attack driven by violent beliefs.

They suggest that resources would be better spent addressing root causes rather than tightening regulations for the overwhelming number of licensed individuals.

Furthermore, a long-promised reform from 1996 – a national firearms register – remains incomplete, though it has now been listed as a urgent task.

A Painful Reminder

For campaigners, the Bondi attack is a stark warning that gun laws must keep pace with technological advances.

They argue that strengthening is needed to "address deficiencies" and safeguard communities.

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

As one advocate stated, "It is regrettable that it takes such a devastating event to focus attention and pay heed."