The nation of Australia was widely regarded as a world leader in firearm regulation – Bondi has exposed a more complicated truth.

On a spring day in the year 1996, a single attacker armed with powerful firearms killed 35 people in the historic site of Port Arthur.

That massacre nearly three decades ago, which sparked some of the strictest firearm regulations in the world, can appear as a distant memory for many Australians.

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

Firearm Possession at a Historic Peak

A analysis revealed that there are now over four million guns in private hands across the country – a figure that is nearly twice the amount from two decades prior.

This means approximately one firearm per seven citizens.

While the state of Queensland has the highest number of legal firearms, followed by NSW and Victoria, it is Tasmania and the Northern Territory that have the highest rate of firearm ownership.

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

Firearms are common in cities and their outskirts, with a sizable percentage located in major cities.

Critically, there are now firearms concentrated among fewer owners, with the typical gun owner possessing more than four firearms.

What Are Australia's Present Firearm Regulations?

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

Typically, to apply for a gun licence, an individual must be over 18, deemed a "suitable candidate", pass a safety program, and provide a "valid purpose" for ownership.

The accepted reasons include hunting or culling, marksmanship, certain job-related needs, and as a hobby.

However, significant loopholes remain. For instance, individuals under 18 in some jurisdictions 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 prohibited, and vetting procedures alongside waiting periods for sales were introduced.

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

Fresh Calls for Regulatory Tightening

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

A country-wide firearm surrender program was unveiled, marking the first such effort since 1996.

Other proposals now under consideration include:

• Restricting the number of guns an individual can have registered.
• Addressing "perpetual" licensing arrangements.
• Making Australian citizenship a prerequisite 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.

An Ongoing Controversy

These proposed changes have met with opposition from some quarters.

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

They suggest that resources would be better spent combating radicalisation rather than tightening regulations for the great bulk of law-abiding citizens.

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

Tragedy as a Wake-Up Call

For long-time advocates, the Bondi attack is a tragic indication that policies must evolve with changing times.

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

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

As one advocate noted, "It's sad that it requires such a devastating event to focus attention and pay heed."