Australia was widely regarded as a world leader in gun control – the Bondi tragedy has laid bare a more complicated reality.

On a spring day in 1996, a lone gunman using powerful firearms murdered 35 people in the historic site of Port Arthur.

That horrific event nearly a generation ago, which ushered in some of the most stringent gun laws in the world, can appear as a different era for many residents.

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

Firearm Possession at a Unprecedented Level

A analysis revealed that there are now in excess of four million guns in private hands across the country – a figure that is nearly twice the amount from two decades prior.

This translates to approximately one gun for every seven Australians.

While Queensland has the most registered guns, followed by NSW and Victoria, it is Tasmania and the Northern Territory that have the greatest density of weapons.

The data also contradicts the widespread belief that guns are mostly possessed by those in the countryside.

Weapons are common in cities and their outskirts, with a sizable percentage located in population centres.

Critically, there are now firearms concentrated among fewer owners, with the average licence holder possessing over four firearms.

What Are Australia's Existing Weapons Policies?

Gun control laws in Australia are not uniform across the country, with a patchwork implementation of rules in various regions.

Typically, to obtain a gun licence, an individual must be of legal age, deemed a "suitable candidate", pass a competency test, and provide a "genuine reason" for ownership.

The allowable purposes include recreational hunting or pest control, marksmanship, certain occupational requirements, and as a hobby.

However, significant shortcomings remain. For instance, individuals under 18 in some jurisdictions can have access to 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 voluntary hand-in of over 650,000 firearms.

Rapid-fire weapons were prohibited, and security screenings alongside delays for sales were introduced.

A key tenet of these reforms was the elimination of "personal protection" as a valid reason for gun ownership.

Renewed Demands for Firearm Policy Changes

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

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

Other planned reforms now under consideration include:

• Limiting the number of guns an individual can have registered.
• Addressing "open-ended" licensing arrangements.
• Making permanent residency a condition for firearm ownership.
• Enhancing intelligence sharing during vetting processes.

There are also calls for periodic reassessments of existing licence holders, acknowledging that "individuals can be radicalised" over time.

An Ongoing Controversy

These swift actions have drawn criticism from some quarters.

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

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

Furthermore, a long-promised reform from 1996 – a national firearms register – remains not yet operational, though it has now been listed as a priority.

Tragedy as a Wake-Up Call

For long-time advocates, the Bondi attack is a stark warning that gun laws must be updated with changing times.

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

While mass shootings remain uncommon in Australia compared to some nations, the potential persists, and the legacy of guns in the wrong hands – through poor storage – continues to pose a danger.

As one advocate reflected, "It is unfortunate that it requires such a devastating event to prompt action and take notice."