The nation of Australia was widely regarded as a global exemplar in gun control – the Bondi attack has laid bare a more complicated situation.

On a Sunday afternoon in April 1996, a lone gunman wielding semi-automatic rifles killed 35 people in the Tasmanian tourist destination of Port Arthur.

That national tragedy nearly three decades ago, which sparked some of the most stringent gun laws in the world, can appear as a different era for many residents.

However, the shooting at Bondi this past Sunday, which left 15 dead, has brought back painful recollections of the Tasmanian tragedy.

Weapons Holdings at a Record High

A analysis revealed that there are now in excess of four million privately-owned firearms across the country – a figure that is almost double the amount from two decades prior.

This translates to approximately one gun for every seven Australians.

While Queensland has the most registered guns, followed by NSW and the state of 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 those in the countryside.

Guns are common in cities and their outskirts, with a large share located in urban hubs.

Critically, there are now firearms concentrated among fewer owners, with the registered individual 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 apply for a gun licence, an individual must be of legal age, deemed a "suitable candidate", pass a competency test, and provide a "genuine reason" for ownership.

The permitted justifications include sport shooting or animal management, marksmanship, certain occupational requirements, and for collections.

However, significant shortcomings remain. For instance, young people in some areas can have supervision of a firearm from as young as pre-teen age.

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

Certain types of firearms were prohibited, and security screenings alongside delays for sales were introduced.

A key tenet of these reforms was the rejection of "home security" as a acceptable grounds for gun ownership.

New Push for Gun Law Reform

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

A country-wide firearm surrender program was announced, marking the most significant such effort since 1996.

Other suggested measures now under consideration include:

• Capping the number of guns an individual can have registered.
• Reforming "indefinite" licensing arrangements.
• Making Australian citizenship a requirement for firearm ownership.
• Enhancing intelligence sharing during licence application processes.

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

An Ongoing Controversy

These proposed changes have drawn criticism from some quarters.

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

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

Furthermore, a key proposed reform from 1996 – a centralised weapon tracking system – remains incomplete, though it has now been listed as a priority.

A Painful Reminder

For reformers, the Bondi attack is a tragic indication that gun laws must evolve with new threats.

They argue that modernisation is needed to "address deficiencies" and protect public safety.

While mass shootings remain infrequent in Australia compared to some nations, the risk persists, and the challenge of firearms circulating illegally – through black markets – continues to pose a challenge.

As one advocate noted, "It is unfortunate that it requires such a tragedy to focus attention and pay heed."