The nation of Australia was long seen as a global exemplar in gun control – the Bondi tragedy has laid bare a much murkier situation.

On a weekend day in April 1996, a lone gunman armed with powerful firearms took the lives of 35 people in the Australian tourist town of Port Arthur.

That national tragedy nearly three decades ago, which sparked some of the strictest gun laws in the world, can feel like a bygone age for many residents.

However, the tragedy in Bondi this past Sunday, which claimed 15 lives, has rekindled memories of the Tasmanian tragedy.

Weapons Holdings at a Record High

A study released earlier this year 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 a weapon for each small group of people.

While the state of Queensland has the largest arsenal, followed by NSW and Victoria, it is the island state and the NT that have the greatest density of weapons.

The data also contradicts the widespread belief that guns are mostly possessed by rural residents.

Weapons are common in metropolitan and suburban areas, 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 Existing Weapons Policies?

Weapons legislation in Australia are not uniform across the country, with a mixed implementation of rules between different jurisdictions.

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

The allowable purposes include hunting or culling, marksmanship, certain occupational requirements, and for collections.

However, significant shortcomings remain. For instance, minors in some states can have use of a firearm from as young as early adolescence.

Following the Port Arthur massacre, a comprehensive reform of national gun laws was enacted, leading to a massive buyback of over 650,000 firearms.

Rapid-fire weapons were prohibited, and vetting procedures 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.

Fresh Calls for Firearm Policy Changes

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

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

Other proposals now under consideration include:

• Limiting the number of guns an individual can have registered.
• Reforming "perpetual" licensing arrangements.
• Making formal citizenship a requirement for firearm ownership.
• Improving intelligence sharing during background check processes.

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

A Complicated Debate

These swift actions have met with opposition from some quarters.

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

They suggest that focus would be better spent addressing root causes rather than restricting lawful owners for the great bulk of law-abiding citizens.

Furthermore, a key proposed 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 tragic indication that regulations must keep pace with changing times.

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

While mass shootings remain uncommon in Australia compared to some nations, the threat persists, and the legacy of weapons being misused – through theft – continues to pose a danger.

As one advocate reflected, "It is regrettable that it takes such a tragedy to get people to wake up and listen."