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

On a Sunday afternoon in April 1996, a solitary shooter armed with rapid-fire weapons took the lives of 35 people in the Tasmanian tourist destination of Port Arthur.

That massacre nearly a generation ago, which sparked some of the strictest weapons policies in the world, can seem like a bygone age for many Australians.

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

Firearm Possession at a Unprecedented Level

A study released earlier this year revealed that there are now in excess of four million weapons owned by civilians across the country – a figure that is almost double the amount from about 20 years ago.

This means approximately one gun for every seven Australians.

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 highest rate of firearm ownership.

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

Firearms are common in cities and their outskirts, with a sizable percentage located in major cities.

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

Understanding Australia's Current Gun Laws?

Weapons legislation in Australia are varied across the country, with a patchwork implementation of rules in various regions.

Generally, to apply for a gun licence, an individual must be over 18, deemed a "suitable candidate", pass a safety program, and provide a "legitimate need" for ownership.

The permitted justifications include hunting or culling, competitive shooting, certain job-related needs, and as a hobby.

However, significant shortcomings remain. For instance, young people in some areas can have use of a firearm from as young as pre-teen age.

Following the Port Arthur massacre, a major rewrite of national gun laws was enacted, leading to a massive buyback of over 650,000 firearms.

Rapid-fire weapons were outlawed, and background checks alongside delays for sales were introduced.

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

Renewed Demands for Firearm Policy Changes

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

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

Other planned reforms now under consideration include:

• Capping the number of guns an individual can have registered.
• Reforming "indefinite" licensing arrangements.
• Making permanent residency a prerequisite for firearm ownership.
• Improving intelligence sharing during background check processes.

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

A Nuanced Discussion

These reform efforts have met with opposition from some quarters.

Pro-gun advocates contend that limiting gun numbers would not have averted an attack driven by extremist ideology.

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

Furthermore, a critical reform from 1996 – a centralised weapon tracking system – remains incomplete, though it has now been listed as a key project.

Tragedy as a Wake-Up Call

For long-time advocates, the Bondi attack is a tragic indication that regulations must evolve with new threats.

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

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

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