On a weekend day in April 1996, a single attacker wielding powerful firearms took the lives of 35 people in the historic site of Port Arthur.
That massacre nearly thirty years ago, which ushered in some of the strictest weapons policies in the world, can appear as a distant memory for many citizens.
However, the shooting at Bondi this past Sunday, which resulted in 15 fatalities, has revived the ghosts of the 1996 shootings.
Weapons Holdings at a Record High
A analysis revealed that there are now over four million weapons owned by civilians across the country – a figure that is almost double the amount from about 20 years ago.
This translates to approximately one firearm per seven citizens.
While Queensland has the highest number of legal firearms, followed by NSW and the state of Victoria, it is Tasmania and the NT that have the greatest density of weapons.
The data also contradicts the common view that guns are mostly possessed by people in regional areas.
Firearms are common in metropolitan and suburban areas, with a large share located in major cities.
Critically, there are now weapons owned by a smaller group, with the average licence holder possessing several firearms.
What Are Australia's Present Firearm Regulations?
Firearm regulations in Australia are varied across the country, with a mixed implementation of rules across states and territories.
Typically, to secure a gun licence, an individual must be over 18, deemed a "suitable candidate", pass a competency test, and provide a "genuine reason" for ownership.
The accepted reasons include recreational hunting or pest control, competitive shooting, certain job-related needs, and for collections.
However, significant gaps remain. For instance, individuals under 18 in some jurisdictions can have use of a firearm from as young as early adolescence.
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 banned, and vetting procedures alongside delays for sales were introduced.
A key tenet of these reforms was the elimination of "self-defence" as a valid reason for gun ownership.
Fresh Calls for Regulatory Tightening
In the hours following the Bondi shooting, political leaders were unequivocal about the need to bolster gun laws.
A weapons collection initiative was announced, marking the first such effort since 1996.
Other suggested measures now under consideration include:
- Restricting the number of guns an individual can legally own.
- Addressing "indefinite" licensing arrangements.
- Making formal citizenship a requirement for firearm ownership.
- Improving intelligence sharing during background check processes.
There are also calls for regular reviews of existing licence holders, acknowledging that "situations evolve" over time.
An Ongoing Controversy
These swift actions have drawn criticism from some quarters.
Pro-gun advocates contend that restricting ownership would not have stopped an attack driven by violent beliefs.
They suggest that focus would be better spent addressing root causes rather than changing laws for the overwhelming number of responsible owners.
Furthermore, a long-promised reform from 1996 – a national firearms register – remains incomplete, though it has now been listed as a urgent task.
Tragedy as a Wake-Up Call
For reformers, the Bondi attack is a tragic indication that regulations must evolve with technological advances.
They argue that reform is needed to "keep up-to-date" and protect public safety.
While mass shootings remain infrequent in Australia compared to some nations, the risk persists, and the ongoing issue of guns in the wrong hands – through theft – continues to pose a danger.
As one advocate stated, "It is regrettable that it takes such a loss of life to focus attention and pay heed."
