Australia was widely regarded as a international standard-bearer in gun control – the Bondi attack has revealed a more complicated situation.
On a weekend day in the year 1996, a single attacker using powerful firearms killed 35 people in the historic site of Port Arthur.
That horrific event nearly thirty years ago, which led to some of the toughest weapons policies in the world, can feel like a different era for many residents.
However, the shooting at Bondi this past Sunday, which left 15 dead, has rekindled memories of the 1996 shootings.
Firearm Possession at a Record High
A analysis revealed that there are now over four million privately-owned firearms across the country – a figure that is almost double the amount from the late 1990s.
This translates to approximately one gun for every seven Australians.
While Queensland has the most registered guns, followed by NSW and the state of Victoria, it is Tasmania and the NT that have the greatest density of weapons.
The data also dispels the common view that guns are primarily held by those in the countryside.
Guns are widespread in metropolitan and suburban areas, with a sizable percentage located in major cities.
Critically, there are now weapons owned by a smaller group, with the average licence holder possessing more than four firearms.
Understanding Australia's Existing Weapons Policies?
Weapons legislation in Australia are not uniform across the country, with a disparate implementation of rules between different jurisdictions.
Broadly speaking, to obtain a gun licence, an individual must be over 18, deemed a "fit and proper person", pass a safety program, and provide a "genuine reason" for ownership.
The accepted reasons include recreational hunting or pest control, competitive shooting, certain occupational requirements, and collecting.
However, significant loopholes remain. For instance, young people in some areas can have supervision of a firearm from as young as early adolescence.
Following the Port Arthur massacre, a sweeping overhaul of national gun laws was enacted, leading to a voluntary hand-in of over 650,000 firearms.
Rapid-fire weapons were banned, and background checks alongside waiting periods for sales were introduced.
A key tenet of these reforms was the rejection of "home security" as a justifiable cause for gun ownership.
New Push for Gun Law Reform
In the wake the Bondi shooting, political leaders were clear about the need to tighten gun laws.
A national gun buyback scheme was announced, marking the largest such effort since 1996.
Other suggested measures now under consideration include:
- Limiting the number of guns an individual can legally own.
- Addressing "open-ended" licensing arrangements.
- Making formal citizenship a condition for firearm ownership.
- Strengthening intelligence sharing during vetting processes.
There are also calls for periodic reassessments of existing licence holders, acknowledging that "individuals can be radicalised" over time.
An Ongoing Controversy
These swift actions have drawn criticism from some quarters.
Pro-gun advocates contend that restricting ownership would not have prevented an attack driven by extremist ideology.
They suggest that political capital would be better spent combating radicalisation rather than changing laws for the overwhelming number of licensed individuals.
Furthermore, a critical reform from 1996 – a country-wide gun database – remains incomplete, though it has now been listed as a urgent task.
A Catalyst for Change
For long-time advocates, the Bondi attack is a horrific reminder that policies must evolve with technological advances.
They argue that strengthening is needed to "address deficiencies" and protect public safety.
While mass shootings remain relatively rare in Australia compared to some nations, the threat persists, and the ongoing issue of guns in the wrong hands – through theft – continues to pose a challenge.
As one advocate reflected, "It is regrettable that it requires such a devastating event to focus attention and pay heed."