The nation of Australia was long seen as a global exemplar in firearm regulation – Bondi has exposed a more complicated truth.

On a spring day in the year 1996, a solitary shooter wielding rapid-fire weapons killed 35 people in the Australian tourist town of Port Arthur.

That horrific event nearly three decades ago, which sparked some of the strictest firearm regulations in the world, can feel like a distant memory for many residents.

However, the shooting at Bondi this past Sunday, which resulted in 15 fatalities, has brought back painful recollections of the 1996 shootings.

Weapons Holdings at a Unprecedented Level

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

This means approximately a weapon for each small group of people.

While the state of Queensland has the most registered guns, followed by New South Wales (NSW) and the state of Victoria, it is the island state and the Northern Territory that have the highest rate of firearm ownership.

The data also dispels the popular notion that guns are primarily held by rural residents.

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

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

Understanding Australia's Existing Weapons Policies?

Weapons legislation in Australia are varied across the country, with a disparate implementation of rules across states and territories.

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

The accepted reasons include hunting or culling, marksmanship, certain occupational requirements, and for collections.

However, significant loopholes remain. For instance, individuals under 18 in some jurisdictions can have supervision of a firearm from as young as early adolescence.

Following the Port Arthur massacre, a sweeping overhaul of national gun laws was enacted, leading to a massive buyback 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 rejection of "personal protection" as a valid reason for gun ownership.

Fresh Calls for Firearm Policy Changes

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

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

Other proposals now under consideration include:

• Limiting the number of guns an individual can have registered.
• Addressing "perpetual" licensing arrangements.
• Making permanent residency a requirement for firearm ownership.
• Strengthening intelligence sharing during licence application processes.

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

An Ongoing Controversy

These proposed changes have drawn criticism from some quarters.

Pro-gun advocates argue that limiting gun numbers would not have prevented an attack driven by radicalisation.

They suggest that resources would be better spent improving intelligence rather than restricting lawful owners for the great bulk of law-abiding citizens.

Furthermore, a critical reform from 1996 – a country-wide gun database – remains incomplete, though it has now been listed as a urgent task.

A Catalyst for Change

For campaigners, the Bondi attack is a tragic indication that regulations must keep pace with changing times.

They argue that reform is needed to "address deficiencies" and safeguard communities.

While mass shootings remain uncommon in Australia compared to some nations, the potential persists, and the challenge of guns in the wrong hands – through black markets – continues to pose a challenge.

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