Australia had long been viewed as a international standard-bearer in weapons legislation – the Bondi attack has revealed a more complicated truth.
On a spring day in the year 1996, a lone gunman armed with semi-automatic rifles murdered 35 people in the historic site of Port Arthur.
That massacre nearly three decades ago, which sparked some of the strictest weapons policies in the world, can seem like a distant memory for many Australians.
However, the tragedy in Bondi this past Sunday, which left 15 dead, has brought back painful recollections of the 1996 shootings.
Weapons Holdings at a Unprecedented Level
A analysis revealed that there are now in excess of four million guns in private hands across the country – a figure that is almost double the amount from about 20 years ago.
This means approximately one firearm per seven citizens.
While Queensland has the largest arsenal, followed by NSW and the state of Victoria, it is Tasmania and the NT that have the most guns per person.
The data also challenges the popular notion that guns are mainly owned by people in regional areas.
Firearms are common in metropolitan and suburban areas, with a large share located in population centres.
Critically, there are now weapons owned by a smaller group, with the average licence holder possessing more than four firearms.
Understanding Australia's Present Firearm Regulations?
Firearm regulations in Australia are inconsistent across the country, with a disparate implementation of rules between different jurisdictions.
Generally, to secure a gun licence, an individual must be of legal age, deemed a "responsible individual", pass a competency test, and provide a "valid purpose" for ownership.
The accepted reasons include sport shooting or animal management, marksmanship, certain professional duties, and for collections.
However, significant loopholes 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 major rewrite of national gun laws was enacted, leading to a massive buyback of over 650,000 firearms.
Automatic and semi-automatic rifles were prohibited, 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.
New Push for Regulatory Tightening
In the immediate aftermath the Bondi shooting, political leaders were clear about the need to tighten gun laws.
A weapons collection initiative was unveiled, marking the first such effort since 1996.
Other suggested measures now under consideration include:
- Capping the number of guns an individual can have registered.
- Addressing "open-ended" licensing arrangements.
- Making Australian citizenship a requirement for firearm ownership.
- Enhancing intelligence sharing during background check processes.
There are also calls for ongoing evaluations of existing licence holders, acknowledging that "people's circumstances can change" over time.
A Complicated Debate
These swift actions have drawn criticism from some quarters.
Pro-gun advocates contend that imposing caps would not have averted an attack driven by radicalisation.
They suggest that resources would be better spent addressing root causes rather than restricting lawful owners for the great bulk of licensed individuals.
Furthermore, a critical reform from 1996 – a national firearms register – remains unfinished, though it has now been listed as a priority.
A Painful Reminder
For reformers, the Bondi attack is a horrific reminder that policies must be updated with changing times.
They argue that modernisation is needed to "address deficiencies" and prevent future tragedies.
While mass shootings remain relatively rare in Australia compared to some nations, the potential persists, and the challenge of guns in the wrong hands – through theft – continues to pose a danger.
As one advocate noted, "It's sad that it requires such a devastating event to focus attention and take notice."