Australia was widely regarded as a international standard-bearer in firearm regulation – the Bondi attack has exposed a more complicated reality.

On a Sunday afternoon in April 1996, a lone gunman wielding semi-automatic rifles killed 35 people in the Tasmanian tourist destination of Port Arthur.

That massacre nearly three decades ago, which sparked some of the strictest firearm regulations in the world, can seem like a distant memory 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 Historic Peak

A study released earlier this year revealed that there are now more than four million privately-owned firearms across the country – a figure that is almost double the amount from the late 1990s.

This means approximately a weapon for each small group of people.

While the state of Queensland has the highest number of legal firearms, followed by NSW and Victoria, it is Tasmania and the Northern Territory that have the highest rate of firearm ownership.

The data also contradicts the popular notion that guns are mostly possessed by people in regional areas.

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

Critically, there are now weapons owned by a smaller group, with the typical gun owner possessing several firearms.

Examining Australia's Current Gun Laws?

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

Typically, to obtain a gun licence, an individual must be over 18, deemed a "suitable candidate", pass a safety program, and provide a "legitimate need" for ownership.

The accepted reasons include recreational hunting or pest control, marksmanship, certain job-related needs, and as a hobby.

However, significant loopholes remain. For instance, young people in some jurisdictions can have supervision of 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 massive buyback of over 650,000 firearms.

Automatic and semi-automatic rifles were prohibited, and background checks alongside mandatory cooling-off periods for sales were introduced.

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

Fresh Calls 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 unveiled, marking the largest such effort since 1996.

Other suggested measures now under consideration include:

• Restricting the number of guns an individual can possess.
• Addressing "perpetual" licensing arrangements.
• Making Australian citizenship a requirement for firearm ownership.
• Enhancing 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.

A Complicated Debate

These swift actions have drawn criticism from some quarters.

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

They suggest that resources 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 incomplete, 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 gun laws must be updated with technological advances.

They argue that reform is needed to "keep up-to-date" and protect public safety.

While mass shootings remain uncommon in Australia compared to some nations, the threat persists, and the ongoing issue of firearms circulating illegally – through black markets – continues to pose a danger.

As one advocate noted, "It is unfortunate that it requires such a tragedy to get people to wake up and pay heed."