Australia was long seen as a international standard-bearer in gun control – the Bondi tragedy has exposed a much murkier reality.

On a spring day in 1996, a single attacker wielding semi-automatic rifles killed 35 people in the historic site of Port Arthur.

That horrific event nearly three decades ago, which led to some of the toughest weapons policies in the world, can appear as a distant memory for many residents.

However, the shooting at Bondi this past Sunday, which left 15 dead, has rekindled memories of the 1996 shootings.

Gun Ownership at a Record High

A recent report revealed that there are now over four million weapons owned by civilians across the country – a figure that is roughly two times the amount from about 20 years ago.

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

While Queensland has the largest arsenal, 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 challenges the widespread belief that guns are mainly owned by rural residents.

Weapons are prevalent in urban centres, with a large share located in major cities.

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

What Are Australia's Existing Weapons Policies?

Weapons legislation in Australia are inconsistent across the country, with a mixed implementation of rules in various regions.

Generally, to apply for a gun licence, an individual must be an adult, deemed a "fit and proper person", pass a safety program, and provide a "genuine reason" for ownership.

The permitted justifications include recreational hunting or pest control, marksmanship, certain job-related needs, and collecting.

However, significant shortcomings remain. For instance, young people in some jurisdictions can have use of a firearm from as young as early adolescence.

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

Automatic and semi-automatic rifles were prohibited, and background checks alongside delays for sales were introduced.

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

Fresh Calls for Regulatory Tightening

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

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

Other proposals now under consideration include:

• Limiting the number of guns an individual can have registered.
• Ending "indefinite" licensing arrangements.
• Making Australian citizenship a requirement for firearm ownership.
• Enhancing 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 Complicated Debate

These swift actions have sparked debate from some quarters.

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

They suggest that political capital would be better spent addressing root causes rather than tightening regulations for the overwhelming number 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 long-time advocates, the Bondi attack is a horrific reminder that policies must evolve with changing times.

They argue that strengthening is needed to "remain effective" and safeguard communities.

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

As one advocate noted, "It is unfortunate that it needs such a loss of life to focus attention and listen."