The nation of Australia was long seen as a global exemplar in weapons legislation – the Bondi attack has exposed a far more complex situation.

On a weekend day in the year 1996, a single attacker wielding semi-automatic rifles killed 35 people in the Australian tourist town of Port Arthur.

That horrific event nearly thirty years ago, which sparked some of the toughest firearm regulations in the world, can appear as a distant memory for many citizens.

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

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 roughly two times the amount from two decades prior.

This means approximately one gun for every seven Australians.

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

The data also challenges the common view that guns are primarily held by people in regional areas.

Firearms are common in urban centres, with a large share located in population centres.

Critically, there are now more guns in fewer hands, with the typical gun owner possessing several firearms.

What Are Australia's Existing Weapons Policies?

Gun control laws in Australia are inconsistent across the country, with a mixed implementation of rules between different jurisdictions.

Generally, to secure a gun licence, an individual must be of legal age, deemed a "suitable candidate", pass a safety program, and provide a "genuine reason" for ownership.

The permitted justifications include sport shooting or animal management, marksmanship, certain professional duties, and collecting.

However, significant loopholes remain. For instance, young people in some states can have use of a firearm from as young as early adolescence.

Following the Port Arthur massacre, a major rewrite of national gun laws was enacted, leading to a massive buyback of over 650,000 firearms.

Certain types of firearms were outlawed, and security screenings alongside waiting periods for sales were introduced.

A key tenet of these reforms was the rejection of "home security" as a justifiable cause for gun ownership.

Renewed Demands for Firearm Policy Changes

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

A national gun buyback scheme was unveiled, marking the largest such effort since 1996.

Other planned reforms now under consideration include:

• Limiting the number of guns an individual can legally own.
• Addressing "perpetual" licensing arrangements.
• Making Australian citizenship a condition for firearm ownership.
• Improving intelligence sharing during background check processes.

There are also calls for regular reviews of existing licence holders, acknowledging that "people's circumstances can change" over time.

An Ongoing Controversy

These proposed changes have met with opposition from some quarters.

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

They suggest that focus would be better spent improving intelligence rather than restricting lawful owners for the great bulk of responsible owners.

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

A Painful Reminder

For reformers, the Bondi attack is a tragic indication that gun laws must evolve with changing times.

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

While mass shootings remain infrequent in Australia compared to some nations, the threat persists, and the ongoing issue of guns in the wrong hands – through poor storage – continues to pose a problem.

As one advocate reflected, "It's sad that it requires such a loss of life to get people to wake up and take notice."