The nation of Australia was widely regarded as a international standard-bearer in gun control – Bondi has exposed a much murkier truth.

On a Sunday afternoon in the year 1996, a single attacker using semi-automatic rifles killed 35 people in the historic site of Port Arthur.

That massacre nearly three decades ago, which led to some of the strictest 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 1996 shootings.

Gun Ownership at a Unprecedented Level

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

While Queensland has the most registered guns, followed by NSW and Victoria, it is the island state and the NT that have the highest rate of firearm ownership.

The data also contradicts the common view that guns are mainly owned by those in the countryside.

Firearms are prevalent in cities and their outskirts, with a large share located in population centres.

Critically, there are now weapons owned by a smaller group, with the average licence holder possessing more than four firearms.

What Are Australia's Existing Weapons Policies?

Gun control laws in Australia are not uniform across the country, with a disparate implementation of rules across states and territories.

Generally, to apply for a gun licence, an individual must be an adult, deemed a "fit and proper person", pass a training and safety course, and provide a "legitimate need" for ownership.

The permitted justifications include recreational hunting or pest control, target or sport shooting, certain professional duties, and as a hobby.

However, significant loopholes remain. For instance, individuals under 18 in some jurisdictions can have access to 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 banned, and vetting procedures 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 Gun Law Reform

In the wake the Bondi shooting, political leaders were forceful about the need to tighten gun laws.

A national gun buyback scheme was announced, marking the first such effort since 1996.

Other planned reforms now under consideration include:

• Restricting the number of guns an individual can possess.
• Ending "indefinite" licensing arrangements.
• Making formal citizenship a condition for firearm ownership.
• Enhancing intelligence sharing during background check processes.

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

An Ongoing Controversy

These swift actions have sparked debate from some quarters.

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

They suggest that focus would be better spent addressing root causes rather than changing laws for the overwhelming number of licensed individuals.

Furthermore, a long-promised reform from 1996 – a centralised weapon tracking system – remains incomplete, though it has now been listed as a urgent task.

Tragedy as a Wake-Up Call

For long-time advocates, the Bondi attack is a horrific reminder that policies must be updated with new threats.

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

While mass shootings remain relatively rare in Australia compared to some nations, the potential persists, and the ongoing issue of weapons being misused – through black markets – continues to pose a challenge.

As one advocate noted, "It's sad that it needs such a devastating event to focus attention and take notice."