Australia had long been viewed as a world leader in weapons legislation – the Bondi tragedy has exposed a much murkier reality.

On a weekend day in April 1996, a lone gunman using semi-automatic rifles murdered 35 people in the historic site of Port Arthur.

That horrific event nearly thirty years ago, which sparked some of the strictest weapons policies in the world, can appear as a bygone age for many citizens.

However, the tragedy in Bondi this past Sunday, which resulted in 15 fatalities, has revived the ghosts of the 1996 shootings.

Weapons Holdings at a Historic Peak

A analysis revealed that there are now over four million guns in private hands across the country – a figure that is roughly two times the amount from about 20 years ago.

This means 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 greatest density of weapons.

The data also dispels the widespread belief that guns are primarily held by those in the countryside.

Weapons are common in metropolitan and suburban areas, with a large share located in major cities.

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?

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

Typically, to obtain a gun licence, an individual must be an adult, deemed a "suitable candidate", pass a training and safety course, and provide a "genuine reason" for ownership.

The permitted justifications include hunting or culling, competitive shooting, certain professional duties, and as a hobby.

However, significant gaps remain. For instance, minors in some jurisdictions can have supervision of 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 voluntary hand-in of over 650,000 firearms.

Rapid-fire weapons were outlawed, and vetting procedures alongside waiting periods for sales were introduced.

A key tenet of these reforms was the elimination of "home security" as a valid reason for gun ownership.

Renewed Demands for Gun Law Reform

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

A weapons collection initiative was announced, marking the largest such effort since 1996.

Other planned reforms now under consideration include:

• Capping the number of guns an individual can legally own.
• Ending "perpetual" licensing arrangements.
• Making permanent residency a prerequisite for firearm ownership.
• Enhancing intelligence sharing during background check processes.

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

A Nuanced Discussion

These proposed changes have sparked debate from some quarters.

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

They suggest that resources would be better spent combating radicalisation rather than restricting lawful owners for the overwhelming number of law-abiding citizens.

Furthermore, a critical reform from 1996 – a centralised weapon tracking system – remains not yet operational, though it has now been listed as a priority.

A Painful Reminder

For long-time advocates, the Bondi attack is a stark warning that regulations must keep pace with changing times.

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 legacy of weapons being misused – through theft – continues to pose a problem.

As one advocate noted, "It is regrettable that it requires such a tragedy to focus attention and listen."