The nation of Australia had long been viewed as a world leader in gun control – Bondi has laid bare a far more complex truth.

On a spring day in the year 1996, a lone gunman armed with rapid-fire weapons killed 35 people in the Tasmanian tourist destination of Port Arthur.

That massacre nearly thirty years ago, which led to some of the strictest gun laws in the world, can seem like a different era for many residents.

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

Firearm Possession at a Historic Peak

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 highest number of legal firearms, followed by NSW and the state of Victoria, it is the island state 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 widespread in cities and their outskirts, with a large share located in major cities.

Critically, there are now more guns in fewer hands, with the registered individual possessing several firearms.

What Are Australia's Current Gun Laws?

Firearm regulations in Australia are varied across the country, with a disparate 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 safety program, and provide a "valid purpose" for ownership.

The allowable purposes include recreational hunting or pest control, marksmanship, certain professional duties, and for collections.

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

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 background checks alongside mandatory cooling-off periods for sales were introduced.

A key tenet of these reforms was the removal of "home security" as a acceptable grounds for gun ownership.

Fresh Calls for Firearm Policy Changes

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

A country-wide firearm surrender program was announced, marking the first such effort since 1996.

Other suggested measures now under consideration include:

• Capping the number of guns an individual can legally own.
• Reforming "indefinite" licensing arrangements.
• Making formal citizenship a requirement for firearm ownership.
• Improving intelligence sharing during background check 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 swift actions have met with opposition from some quarters.

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

They suggest that focus would be better spent combating radicalisation rather than tightening regulations for the great bulk of responsible owners.

Furthermore, a critical reform from 1996 – a country-wide gun database – remains unfinished, though it has now been listed as a priority.

A Painful Reminder

For campaigners, the Bondi attack is a tragic indication that gun laws must keep pace with changing times.

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

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 problem.

As one advocate stated, "It's sad that it needs such a tragedy to get people to wake up and take notice."