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

On a Sunday afternoon in April 1996, a lone gunman wielding rapid-fire weapons killed 35 people in the Australian tourist town of Port Arthur.

That national tragedy nearly a generation ago, which sparked some of the toughest gun laws in the world, can appear as a bygone age for many Australians.

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

Gun Ownership at a Historic Peak

A study released earlier this year revealed that there are now more than four million privately-owned firearms across the country – a figure that is almost double the amount from the late 1990s.

This equates to approximately one gun for every seven Australians.

While Queensland has the most registered guns, followed by New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria, it is Tasmania and the NT that have the greatest density of weapons.

The data also challenges the popular notion that guns are mainly owned by those in the countryside.

Guns are widespread in cities and their outskirts, with a large share located in major cities.

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

Examining Australia's Existing Weapons Policies?

Gun control laws in Australia are varied across the country, with a mixed implementation of rules across states and territories.

Generally, to apply for a gun licence, an individual must be an adult, deemed a "suitable candidate", pass a safety program, and provide a "genuine reason" for ownership.

The permitted justifications include hunting or culling, competitive shooting, certain job-related needs, and as a hobby.

However, significant gaps remain. For instance, young people in some areas can have access to a firearm from as young as pre-teen age.

Following the Port Arthur massacre, a major rewrite of national gun laws was enacted, leading to a large-scale surrender scheme of over 650,000 firearms.

Automatic and semi-automatic rifles were outlawed, and vetting procedures alongside waiting periods for sales were introduced.

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

New Push for Gun Law Reform

In the wake the Bondi shooting, political leaders were clear about the need to bolster gun laws.

A national gun buyback scheme was announced, marking the largest such effort since 1996.

Other proposals now under consideration include:

• Limiting the number of guns an individual can legally own.
• Addressing "open-ended" licensing arrangements.
• Making formal citizenship a requirement for firearm ownership.
• Improving intelligence sharing during vetting processes.

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

An Ongoing Controversy

These proposed changes have sparked debate from some quarters.

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

They suggest that resources would be better spent addressing root causes rather than tightening regulations for the vast majority of law-abiding citizens.

Furthermore, a critical reform from 1996 – a country-wide gun database – remains unfinished, though it has now been listed as a key project.

A Painful Reminder

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

They argue that strengthening is needed to "address deficiencies" and safeguard communities.

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

As one advocate noted, "It is unfortunate that it takes such a devastating event to get people to wake up and pay heed."