The nation of Australia was long seen as a global exemplar in gun control – Bondi has revealed a more complicated truth.

On a Sunday afternoon in April 1996, a single attacker wielding rapid-fire weapons took the lives of 35 people in the Tasmanian tourist destination of Port Arthur.

That national tragedy nearly a generation ago, which ushered in some of the most stringent gun laws in the world, can appear as a bygone age for many Australians.

However, the shooting at Bondi this past Sunday, which claimed 15 lives, has rekindled memories of the Tasmanian tragedy.

Gun Ownership at a Unprecedented Level

A study released earlier this year revealed that there are now over four million privately-owned firearms across the country – a figure that is nearly twice the amount from about 20 years ago.

This equates to approximately a weapon for each small group of people.

While Queensland has the highest number of legal firearms, followed by New South Wales (NSW) and the state of Victoria, it is the island state and the NT that have the greatest density of weapons.

The data also contradicts the popular notion that guns are primarily held by those in the countryside.

Weapons are widespread in cities and their outskirts, with a sizable percentage located in major cities.

Critically, there are now weapons owned by a smaller group, with the average licence holder possessing more than four firearms.

Understanding Australia's Present Firearm Regulations?

Weapons legislation in Australia are inconsistent across the country, with a mixed implementation of rules between different jurisdictions.

Broadly speaking, to secure a gun licence, an individual must be an adult, deemed a "suitable candidate", pass a training and safety course, and provide a "genuine reason" for ownership.

The accepted reasons include recreational hunting or pest control, target or sport shooting, certain professional duties, and as a hobby.

However, significant shortcomings remain. For instance, young people in some states can have supervision 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.

Certain types of firearms were outlawed, and vetting procedures alongside waiting periods for sales were introduced.

A key tenet of these reforms was the rejection of "self-defence" as a justifiable cause for gun ownership.

Fresh Calls for Regulatory Tightening

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

A weapons collection initiative was announced, marking the first such effort since 1996.

Other planned reforms now under consideration include:

• Capping the number of guns an individual can have registered.
• Addressing "open-ended" licensing arrangements.
• Making formal citizenship a prerequisite for firearm ownership.
• Enhancing intelligence sharing during vetting processes.

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

An Ongoing Controversy

These reform efforts have met with opposition from some quarters.

Pro-gun advocates argue that limiting gun numbers would not have prevented an attack driven by radicalisation.

They suggest that resources would be better spent combating radicalisation rather than tightening regulations 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 key project.

Tragedy as a Wake-Up Call

For campaigners, the Bondi attack is a horrific reminder that gun laws must be updated with changing times.

They argue that modernisation is needed to "address deficiencies" and protect public safety.

While mass shootings remain infrequent in Australia compared to some nations, the threat persists, and the challenge of firearms circulating illegally – through theft – continues to pose a problem.

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