Australia had long been viewed as a global exemplar in weapons legislation – the Bondi attack has laid bare a much murkier truth.

On a weekend day in the year 1996, a single attacker wielding rapid-fire weapons killed 35 people in the historic site of Port Arthur.

That massacre nearly three decades ago, which sparked some of the strictest firearm regulations in the world, can feel like a different era for many residents.

However, the shooting at Bondi this past Sunday, which claimed 15 lives, has revived the ghosts of the Port Arthur massacre.

Gun Ownership 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 translates to approximately one firearm per seven citizens.

While Queensland has the largest arsenal, followed by New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria, it is the island state and the NT that have the most guns per person.

The data also contradicts the common view that guns are mainly owned by rural residents.

Guns are common in urban centres, with a large share located in major cities.

Critically, there are now more guns in fewer hands, with the typical gun owner possessing more than four firearms.

Understanding Australia's Present Firearm Regulations?

Weapons legislation in Australia are not uniform across the country, with a disparate implementation of rules in various regions.

Typically, to obtain a gun licence, an individual must be over 18, deemed a "fit and proper person", pass a competency test, and provide a "valid purpose" for ownership.

The permitted justifications include hunting or culling, marksmanship, certain job-related needs, and for collections.

However, significant shortcomings remain. For instance, minors in some areas can have use of a firearm from as young as 10 or 12 years old.

Following the Port Arthur massacre, a sweeping overhaul 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 elimination of "home security" as a acceptable grounds for gun ownership.

Renewed Demands for Firearm Policy Changes

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

A national gun buyback scheme was unveiled, marking the largest such effort since 1996.

Other proposals now under consideration include:

• Limiting the number of guns an individual can possess.
• Reforming "indefinite" licensing arrangements.
• Making Australian citizenship a prerequisite for firearm ownership.
• Improving intelligence sharing during background check processes.

There are also calls for ongoing evaluations of existing licence holders, acknowledging that "people's circumstances can change" over time.

A Nuanced Discussion

These swift actions have met with opposition from some quarters.

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

They suggest that resources would be better spent combating radicalisation rather than restricting lawful owners for the vast majority of licensed individuals.

Furthermore, a critical reform from 1996 – a centralised weapon tracking system – remains unfinished, though it has now been listed as a urgent task.

A Catalyst for Change

For campaigners, the Bondi attack is a horrific reminder that regulations must keep pace with technological advances.

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

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

As one advocate noted, "It is unfortunate that it takes such a tragedy to prompt action and listen."