Australia was long seen as a global exemplar in gun control – the Bondi attack has laid bare a more complicated truth.

On a weekend day in 1996, a single attacker using powerful firearms murdered 35 people in the historic site of Port Arthur.

That massacre nearly a generation ago, which led to some of the toughest weapons policies in the world, can appear as a bygone age for many Australians.

However, the shooting at Bondi this past Sunday, which left 15 dead, has revived the ghosts of the 1996 shootings.

Firearm Possession at a Record High

A study released earlier this year revealed that there are now in excess of four million privately-owned firearms across the country – a figure that is nearly twice the amount from the late 1990s.

This equates to approximately one gun for every seven Australians.

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 mostly possessed by those in the countryside.

Guns are prevalent in urban centres, with a significant portion located in major cities.

Critically, there are now more guns in fewer hands, with the average licence holder possessing several firearms.

What Are Australia's Current Gun Laws?

Gun control laws in Australia are varied across the country, with a mixed 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 "valid purpose" for ownership.

The permitted justifications include hunting or culling, competitive shooting, certain professional duties, and for collections.

However, significant gaps remain. For instance, individuals under 18 in some states can have use 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.

Rapid-fire weapons were banned, and security screenings alongside waiting periods for sales were introduced.

A key tenet of these reforms was the removal of "personal protection" as a valid reason for gun ownership.

Renewed Demands for Gun Law Reform

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

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

Other suggested measures now under consideration include:

• Capping the number of guns an individual can possess.
• Addressing "indefinite" licensing arrangements.
• Making permanent residency a requirement for firearm ownership.
• Strengthening intelligence sharing during background check processes.

There are also calls for periodic reassessments of existing licence holders, acknowledging that "individuals can be radicalised" over time.

A Nuanced Discussion

These swift actions have met with opposition from some quarters.

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

They suggest that political capital would be better spent addressing root causes rather than changing laws for the vast majority of licensed individuals.

Furthermore, a long-promised reform from 1996 – a country-wide gun database – remains incomplete, though it has now been listed as a priority.

A Catalyst for Change

For campaigners, the Bondi attack is a stark warning that policies must evolve with technological advances.

They argue that modernisation is needed to "keep up-to-date" and protect public safety.

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

As one advocate noted, "It is unfortunate that it needs such a loss of life to prompt action and pay heed."