Australia had long been viewed as a global exemplar in gun control – the Bondi tragedy has laid bare a much murkier truth.

On a weekend day in April 1996, a lone gunman armed with semi-automatic rifles took the lives of 35 people in the historic site of Port Arthur.

That massacre nearly three decades ago, which ushered in some of the toughest gun laws in the world, can feel like a bygone age for many residents.

However, the tragedy in Bondi this past Sunday, which left 15 dead, has revived the ghosts of the Port Arthur massacre.

Firearm Possession at a Record High

A analysis revealed that there are now more than four million guns in private hands across the country – a figure that is nearly twice the amount from two decades prior.

This translates to approximately one gun for every seven Australians.

While Queensland has the largest arsenal, followed by NSW and Victoria, it is the island state and the NT that have the most guns per person.

The data also dispels the popular notion that guns are mostly possessed by rural residents.

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

Critically, there are now more guns in fewer hands, with the average licence holder possessing over four firearms.

Understanding Australia's Current Gun Laws?

Gun control laws in Australia are inconsistent across the country, with a mixed implementation of rules across states and territories.

Broadly speaking, to apply for a gun licence, an individual must be over 18, deemed a "suitable candidate", pass a training and safety course, and provide a "genuine reason" for ownership.

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

However, significant loopholes remain. For instance, individuals under 18 in some states can have supervision of 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.

Rapid-fire weapons were prohibited, and security screenings alongside waiting periods for sales were introduced.

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

New Push for Firearm Policy Changes

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

A national gun buyback scheme was proposed, marking the largest such effort since 1996.

Other planned reforms now under consideration include:

• Limiting the number of guns an individual can possess.
• Ending "open-ended" licensing arrangements.
• Making Australian citizenship a condition for firearm ownership.
• Strengthening intelligence sharing during vetting processes.

There are also calls for regular reviews of existing licence holders, acknowledging that "situations evolve" over time.

A Complicated Debate

These swift actions have sparked debate from some quarters.

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

They suggest that focus would be better spent combating radicalisation rather than restricting lawful owners for the vast majority of responsible owners.

Furthermore, a critical reform from 1996 – a country-wide gun database – remains not yet operational, though it has now been listed as a key project.

Tragedy as a Wake-Up Call

For reformers, the Bondi attack is a stark warning that regulations must keep pace with technological advances.

They argue that reform is needed to "address deficiencies" and protect public safety.

While mass shootings remain uncommon in Australia compared to some nations, the threat persists, and the legacy of guns in the wrong hands – through theft – continues to pose a problem.

As one advocate reflected, "It is regrettable that it takes such a tragedy to prompt action and take notice."