Australia was long seen as a world leader in weapons legislation – the Bondi attack has revealed a far more complex situation.
On a Sunday afternoon in the year 1996, a solitary shooter armed with rapid-fire weapons 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 seem like a bygone age for many citizens.
However, the tragedy in Bondi this past Sunday, which claimed 15 lives, has rekindled memories of the Tasmanian tragedy.
Gun Ownership at a Historic Peak
A study released earlier this year revealed that there are now over four million privately-owned firearms across the country – a figure that is almost double the amount from about 20 years ago.
This equates to approximately one gun for every seven Australians.
While Queensland has the highest number of legal firearms, followed by NSW and the state of Victoria, it is the island state and the NT that have the highest rate of firearm ownership.
The data also challenges the widespread belief that guns are mostly possessed by people in regional areas.
Guns are common in cities and their outskirts, with a sizable percentage located in population centres.
Critically, there are now more guns in fewer hands, with the registered individual possessing several firearms.
Understanding Australia's Present Firearm Regulations?
Gun control laws in Australia are inconsistent across the country, with a disparate implementation of rules between different jurisdictions.
Typically, to obtain a gun licence, an individual must be over 18, deemed a "fit and proper person", pass a competency test, and provide a "valid purpose" for ownership.
The accepted reasons include sport shooting or animal management, target or sport shooting, certain professional duties, and as a hobby.
However, significant shortcomings remain. For instance, young people in some states can have access to a firearm from as young as early adolescence.
Following the Port Arthur massacre, a comprehensive reform of national gun laws was enacted, leading to a large-scale surrender scheme of over 650,000 firearms.
Certain types of firearms were outlawed, and security screenings alongside delays for sales were introduced.
A key tenet of these reforms was the elimination of "home security" as a valid reason for gun ownership.
Fresh Calls for Gun Law Reform
In the wake the Bondi shooting, political leaders were forceful about the need to strengthen gun laws.
A weapons collection initiative was unveiled, marking the largest such effort since 1996.
Other suggested measures now under consideration include:
- Capping the number of guns an individual can legally own.
- Ending "perpetual" licensing arrangements.
- Making formal citizenship a requirement for firearm ownership.
- Strengthening intelligence sharing during licence application processes.
There are also calls for regular reviews of existing licence holders, acknowledging that "individuals can be radicalised" over time.
A Complicated Debate
These reform efforts have sparked debate from some quarters.
Pro-gun advocates contend that limiting gun numbers would not have prevented an attack driven by extremist ideology.
They suggest that political capital would be better spent improving intelligence rather than restricting lawful owners for the overwhelming number of licensed individuals.
Furthermore, a critical reform from 1996 – a national firearms register – remains incomplete, though it has now been listed as a urgent task.
A Painful Reminder
For long-time advocates, the Bondi attack is a horrific reminder that gun laws must be updated with new threats.
They argue that modernisation is needed to "remain effective" and safeguard communities.
While mass shootings remain uncommon in Australia compared to some nations, the risk persists, and the legacy of firearms circulating illegally – through black markets – continues to pose a challenge.
As one advocate noted, "It is regrettable that it takes such a loss of life to get people to wake up and take notice."
