Australia was widely regarded as a world leader in gun control – Bondi has laid bare a much murkier reality.

On a spring day in 1996, a lone gunman armed with powerful firearms took the lives of 35 people in the historic site of Port Arthur.

That massacre nearly three decades ago, which sparked some of the most stringent weapons policies in the world, can feel like a bygone age for many Australians.

However, the shooting at Bondi this past Sunday, which resulted in 15 fatalities, has rekindled memories of the 1996 shootings.

Weapons Holdings at a Record High

A analysis revealed that there are now in excess of four million guns in private hands across the country – a figure that is roughly two times the amount from two decades prior.

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

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

The data also contradicts the widespread belief that guns are primarily held by rural residents.

Firearms are common in metropolitan and suburban areas, with a sizable percentage located in population centres.

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

What Are Australia's Existing Weapons Policies?

Gun control laws in Australia are inconsistent across the country, with a disparate implementation of rules between different jurisdictions.

Generally, to secure 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 sport shooting or animal management, marksmanship, certain occupational requirements, and for collections.

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

Certain types of firearms were outlawed, and vetting procedures alongside mandatory cooling-off periods for sales were introduced.

A key tenet of these reforms was the elimination of "self-defence" as a acceptable grounds for gun ownership.

Renewed Demands for Firearm Policy Changes

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

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

Other planned reforms now under consideration include:

• Restricting the number of guns an individual can possess.
• Addressing "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.

An Ongoing Controversy

These reform efforts have drawn criticism from some quarters.

Pro-gun advocates argue that imposing caps would not have averted an attack driven by extremist ideology.

They suggest that political capital would be better spent improving intelligence rather than restricting lawful owners for the vast majority of licensed individuals.

Furthermore, a key proposed reform from 1996 – a national firearms register – remains incomplete, though it has now been listed as a priority.

A Catalyst for Change

For reformers, the Bondi attack is a tragic indication that policies must be updated with new threats.

They argue that strengthening is needed to "remain effective" and protect public safety.

While mass shootings remain relatively rare in Australia compared to some nations, the risk persists, and the challenge of guns in the wrong hands – through poor storage – continues to pose a problem.

As one advocate stated, "It is regrettable that it requires such a devastating event to prompt action and listen."