Australia had long been viewed as a global exemplar in weapons legislation – the Bondi attack has exposed a much murkier truth.

On a weekend day in April 1996, a solitary shooter armed with rapid-fire weapons killed 35 people in the historic site of Port Arthur.

That national tragedy nearly a generation ago, which ushered in some of the toughest weapons policies in the world, can feel like a distant memory for many residents.

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

Gun Ownership at a Record High

A study released earlier this year revealed that there are now in excess of four million guns in private hands across the country – a figure that is roughly two times the amount from about 20 years ago.

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

While Queensland has the largest arsenal, followed by New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria, it is the island state and the Northern Territory that have the highest rate of firearm ownership.

The data also challenges the popular notion that guns are primarily held by people in regional areas.

Firearms are prevalent in metropolitan and suburban areas, with a sizable percentage located in urban hubs.

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

What Are Australia's Existing Weapons Policies?

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

Typically, to secure a gun licence, an individual must be over 18, deemed a "suitable candidate", pass a training and safety course, and provide a "valid purpose" for ownership.

The allowable purposes include sport shooting or animal management, target or sport shooting, certain occupational requirements, and as a hobby.

However, significant gaps remain. For instance, individuals under 18 in some areas can have access to 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 massive buyback 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 removal of "personal protection" as a acceptable grounds for gun ownership.

Fresh Calls for Gun Law Reform

In the hours following the Bondi shooting, political leaders were clear about the need to bolster gun laws.

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

Other proposals now under consideration include:

• Restricting the number of guns an individual can legally own.
• Reforming "open-ended" licensing arrangements.
• Making permanent residency a prerequisite for firearm ownership.
• Strengthening 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.

A Complicated Debate

These proposed changes have sparked debate from some quarters.

Pro-gun advocates maintain that restricting ownership would not have stopped an attack driven by violent beliefs.

They suggest that resources would be better spent addressing root causes rather than changing laws for the overwhelming number of law-abiding citizens.

Furthermore, a key proposed reform from 1996 – a national firearms register – remains not yet operational, though it has now been listed as a urgent task.

Tragedy as a Wake-Up Call

For reformers, the Bondi attack is a horrific reminder that gun laws must be updated with new threats.

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

While mass shootings remain uncommon in Australia compared to some nations, the threat persists, and the challenge of weapons being misused – through theft – continues to pose a challenge.

As one advocate noted, "It is unfortunate that it takes such a devastating event to get people to wake up and listen."