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

On a spring day in 1996, a single attacker using rapid-fire weapons murdered 35 people in the historic site of Port Arthur.

That massacre nearly three decades ago, which led to some of the most stringent firearm regulations in the world, can feel like a distant memory for many citizens.

However, the shooting at Bondi this past Sunday, which resulted in 15 fatalities, has brought back painful recollections of the 1996 shootings.

Weapons Holdings at a Record High

A analysis revealed that there are now over four million weapons owned by civilians across the country – a figure that is nearly twice 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 Victoria, it is the island state and the Northern Territory that have the greatest density of weapons.

The data also dispels the common view that guns are primarily held by those in the countryside.

Weapons are common in cities and their outskirts, with a sizable percentage located in urban hubs.

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

What Are Australia's Current Gun Laws?

Weapons legislation in Australia are not uniform across the country, with a mixed implementation of rules across states and territories.

Generally, to apply for a gun licence, an individual must be over 18, deemed a "fit and proper person", pass a training and safety course, and provide a "genuine reason" for ownership.

The accepted reasons include sport shooting or animal management, marksmanship, certain professional duties, and collecting.

However, significant shortcomings remain. For instance, individuals under 18 in some states can have supervision of a firearm from as young as 10 or 12 years old.

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.

Certain types of firearms were prohibited, and background checks alongside delays for sales were introduced.

A key tenet of these reforms was the elimination of "self-defence" as a acceptable grounds for gun ownership.

Fresh Calls for Gun Law Reform

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

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

Other proposals now under consideration include:

• Limiting the number of guns an individual can have registered.
• Reforming "indefinite" licensing arrangements.
• Making Australian citizenship a requirement for firearm ownership.
• Strengthening intelligence sharing during vetting 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 met with opposition from some quarters.

Pro-gun advocates contend that imposing caps would not have stopped an attack driven by radicalisation.

They suggest that resources would be better spent improving intelligence rather than tightening regulations for the great bulk of responsible owners.

Furthermore, a key proposed reform from 1996 – a national firearms register – remains incomplete, though it has now been listed as a urgent task.

A Catalyst for Change

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

They argue that reform is needed to "remain effective" and safeguard communities.

While mass shootings remain relatively rare in Australia compared to some nations, the risk persists, and the ongoing issue of guns in the wrong hands – through theft – continues to pose a challenge.

As one advocate noted, "It is unfortunate that it needs such a tragedy to focus attention and pay heed."