Australia was long seen as a global exemplar in gun control – the Bondi tragedy has revealed a far more complex situation.

On a spring day in April 1996, a lone gunman armed with semi-automatic rifles killed 35 people in the Australian tourist town of Port Arthur.

That horrific event nearly thirty years ago, which ushered in some of the toughest gun laws in the world, can feel like a bygone age for many citizens.

However, the Bondi Beach attack this past Sunday, which claimed 15 lives, has revived the ghosts of the 1996 shootings.

Firearm Possession at a Historic Peak

A analysis revealed that there are now over four million privately-owned firearms across the country – a figure that is nearly twice the amount from about 20 years ago.

This means approximately one gun for every seven Australians.

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

The data also contradicts the popular notion that guns are mostly possessed by those in the countryside.

Guns are prevalent in urban centres, with a sizable percentage located in urban hubs.

Critically, there are now weapons owned by a smaller group, with the typical gun owner possessing over four firearms.

Examining Australia's Present Firearm Regulations?

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

Broadly speaking, to obtain a gun licence, an individual must be over 18, deemed a "fit and proper person", pass a training and safety course, and provide a "legitimate need" for ownership.

The allowable purposes include hunting or culling, competitive shooting, certain occupational requirements, and collecting.

However, significant loopholes remain. For instance, minors in some states can have supervision of a firearm from as young as pre-teen age.

Following the Port Arthur massacre, a sweeping overhaul of national gun laws was enacted, leading to a voluntary hand-in of over 650,000 firearms.

Certain types of firearms were outlawed, and security screenings alongside delays for sales were introduced.

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

Fresh Calls for Regulatory Tightening

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

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

Other planned reforms now under consideration include:

• Capping the number of guns an individual can legally own.
• Reforming "indefinite" licensing arrangements.
• Making formal citizenship 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.

A Nuanced Discussion

These swift actions have drawn criticism from some quarters.

Pro-gun advocates maintain 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 changing laws for the overwhelming number of law-abiding citizens.

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

A Painful Reminder

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

They argue that modernisation is needed to "keep up-to-date" and prevent future tragedies.

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

As one advocate reflected, "It is regrettable that it needs such a tragedy to prompt action and pay heed."