Australia was widely regarded as a international standard-bearer in firearm regulation – the Bondi attack has laid bare a much murkier truth.

On a weekend day in the year 1996, a single attacker armed with rapid-fire weapons took the lives of 35 people in the Tasmanian tourist destination of Port Arthur.

That horrific event nearly thirty years ago, which sparked some of the most stringent firearm regulations in the world, can feel like a bygone age for many citizens.

However, the tragedy in Bondi this past Sunday, which left 15 dead, has brought back painful recollections of the Tasmanian tragedy.

Weapons Holdings at a Unprecedented Level

A recent report revealed that there are now more than four million guns in private hands across the country – a figure that is roughly two times the amount from two decades prior.

This translates to approximately one firearm per seven citizens.

While Queensland has the highest number of legal firearms, followed by New South Wales (NSW) and the state of 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 mainly owned by people in regional areas.

Guns are widespread in cities and their outskirts, with a sizable percentage located in major cities.

Critically, there are now weapons owned by a smaller group, with the registered individual possessing more than four firearms.

What Are Australia's Present Firearm Regulations?

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

Broadly speaking, to obtain a gun licence, an individual must be an adult, deemed a "suitable candidate", pass a safety program, and provide a "valid purpose" for ownership.

The accepted reasons include hunting or culling, marksmanship, certain professional duties, and collecting.

However, significant loopholes remain. For instance, individuals under 18 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 banned, and background checks alongside delays for sales were introduced.

A key tenet of these reforms was the elimination of "personal protection" as a valid reason for gun ownership.

Renewed Demands for Regulatory Tightening

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

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

Other suggested measures now under consideration include:

• Limiting the number of guns an individual can have registered.
• Reforming "open-ended" licensing arrangements.
• Making formal citizenship a requirement for firearm ownership.
• Enhancing 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 reform efforts have sparked debate from some quarters.

Pro-gun advocates argue that restricting ownership would not have prevented an attack driven by extremist ideology.

They suggest that focus would be better spent improving intelligence rather than restricting lawful owners for the great bulk of licensed individuals.

Furthermore, a critical reform from 1996 – a national firearms register – remains unfinished, though it has now been listed as a key project.

A Catalyst for Change

For long-time advocates, the Bondi attack is a horrific reminder that policies must keep pace with technological advances.

They argue that reform is needed to "address deficiencies" and prevent future tragedies.

While mass shootings remain uncommon in Australia compared to some nations, the threat persists, and the legacy of firearms circulating illegally – through black markets – continues to pose a danger.

As one advocate reflected, "It is regrettable that it takes such a loss of life to get people to wake up and pay heed."