Australia had long been viewed as a world leader in gun control – the Bondi attack has laid bare a much murkier situation.

On a Sunday afternoon in April 1996, a single attacker armed with powerful firearms murdered 35 people in the historic site of Port Arthur.

That horrific event nearly a generation ago, which sparked some of the toughest firearm regulations in the world, can seem like a bygone age for many Australians.

However, the Bondi Beach attack this past Sunday, which left 15 dead, has brought back painful recollections of the Tasmanian tragedy.

Weapons Holdings at a Record High

A study released earlier this year revealed that there are now over four million weapons owned by civilians across the country – a figure that is almost double the amount from about 20 years ago.

This means approximately one firearm per seven citizens.

While Queensland has the most registered guns, followed by New South Wales (NSW) and the state of Victoria, it is the island state and the NT that have the most guns per person.

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

Weapons are common in metropolitan and suburban areas, with a sizable percentage located in population centres.

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

Examining Australia's Present Firearm Regulations?

Weapons legislation in Australia are varied across the country, with a patchwork implementation of rules across states and territories.

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

The permitted justifications include hunting or culling, marksmanship, certain occupational requirements, and as a hobby.

However, significant gaps remain. For instance, young people in some states can have use of 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 large-scale surrender scheme of over 650,000 firearms.

Automatic and semi-automatic rifles were prohibited, and vetting procedures alongside delays for sales were introduced.

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

Fresh Calls for Regulatory Tightening

In the immediate aftermath 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:

• Limiting the number of guns an individual can possess.
• Reforming "indefinite" licensing arrangements.
• Making Australian citizenship a requirement 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.

A Complicated Debate

These reform efforts have sparked debate from some quarters.

Pro-gun advocates argue that restricting ownership would not have prevented an attack driven by extremist ideology.

They suggest that resources would be better spent combating radicalisation rather than restricting lawful owners for the vast majority of responsible owners.

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

Tragedy as a Wake-Up Call

For campaigners, the Bondi attack is a tragic indication that gun laws must evolve with technological advances.

They argue that reform is needed to "address deficiencies" and prevent future tragedies.

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

As one advocate stated, "It's sad that it needs such a devastating event to prompt action and take notice."