Australia was long seen as a international standard-bearer in weapons legislation – the Bondi tragedy has revealed a much murkier reality.

On a spring day in 1996, a lone gunman armed with semi-automatic rifles killed 35 people in the historic site of Port Arthur.

That horrific event nearly thirty years ago, which sparked some of the toughest firearm regulations in the world, can appear as a different era for many Australians.

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

Weapons Holdings at a Unprecedented Level

A study released earlier this year revealed that there are now more than four million weapons owned by civilians across the country – a figure that is almost double the amount from two decades prior.

This translates to approximately one firearm per seven citizens.

While the state of Queensland has the most registered guns, followed by New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria, it is Tasmania and the NT that have the highest rate of firearm ownership.

The data also contradicts the widespread belief that guns are primarily held by those in the countryside.

Guns 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 typical gun owner possessing over four firearms.

Examining Australia's Current Gun Laws?

Gun control laws in Australia are inconsistent across the country, with a patchwork implementation of rules in various regions.

Broadly speaking, to secure a gun licence, an individual must be over 18, deemed a "suitable candidate", pass a competency test, and provide a "genuine reason" for ownership.

The allowable purposes include sport shooting or animal management, marksmanship, certain occupational requirements, and for collections.

However, significant shortcomings remain. For instance, minors in some areas can have access to a firearm from as young as pre-teen age.

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

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

A key tenet of these reforms was the rejection of "home security" as a justifiable cause for gun ownership.

Fresh Calls for Gun Law Reform

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

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

Other proposals now under consideration include:

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

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

A Nuanced Discussion

These swift actions have drawn criticism from some quarters.

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

They suggest that political capital would be better spent combating radicalisation rather than changing laws for the overwhelming number of law-abiding citizens.

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

A Painful Reminder

For reformers, the Bondi attack is a tragic indication that gun laws must evolve with technological advances.

They argue that reform is needed to "keep up-to-date" and prevent future tragedies.

While mass shootings remain uncommon in Australia compared to some nations, the potential persists, and the ongoing issue of weapons being misused – through poor storage – continues to pose a danger.

As one advocate noted, "It is regrettable that it requires such a devastating event to get people to wake up and pay heed."