Australia had long been viewed as a world leader in firearm regulation – the Bondi attack has revealed a much murkier situation.

On a spring day in 1996, a lone gunman using semi-automatic rifles murdered 35 people in the Tasmanian tourist destination of Port Arthur.

That horrific event nearly a generation ago, which led to some of the toughest gun laws in the world, can seem like a bygone age for many residents.

However, the shooting at Bondi this past Sunday, which left 15 dead, has revived the ghosts of the Tasmanian tragedy.

Gun Ownership at a Unprecedented Level

A analysis revealed that there are now over four million privately-owned firearms across the country – a figure that is roughly two times the amount from the late 1990s.

This equates to approximately a weapon for each small group of people.

While the state of Queensland has the highest number of legal firearms, followed by New South Wales (NSW) and the state of Victoria, it is the island state and the Northern Territory that have the most guns per person.

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

Guns are widespread in urban centres, with a large share located in population centres.

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

Understanding Australia's Existing Weapons Policies?

Firearm regulations in Australia are varied across the country, with a disparate implementation of rules in various regions.

Generally, to secure a gun licence, an individual must be of legal age, deemed a "responsible individual", pass a training and safety course, and provide a "legitimate need" for ownership.

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

However, significant shortcomings remain. For instance, minors in some jurisdictions 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.

Certain types of firearms were banned, and security screenings alongside waiting periods for sales were introduced.

A key tenet of these reforms was the removal of "personal protection" as a justifiable cause for gun ownership.

Renewed Demands for Firearm Policy Changes

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

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

Other proposals now under consideration include:

• Restricting the number of guns an individual can legally own.
• Reforming "perpetual" licensing arrangements.
• Making permanent residency a condition for firearm ownership.
• Improving intelligence sharing during vetting 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 resources would be better spent improving intelligence rather than restricting lawful owners for the vast majority of law-abiding citizens.

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

Tragedy as a Wake-Up Call

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

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

While mass shootings remain relatively rare in Australia compared to some nations, the risk persists, and the ongoing issue of guns in the wrong hands – through poor storage – continues to pose a challenge.

As one advocate noted, "It is unfortunate that it requires such a tragedy to focus attention and pay heed."