Australia was long seen as a global exemplar in gun control – the Bondi attack has revealed a more complicated situation.
On a weekend day in April 1996, a lone gunman wielding powerful firearms took the lives of 35 people in the Tasmanian tourist destination of Port Arthur.
That national tragedy nearly three decades ago, which sparked some of the toughest gun laws in the world, can seem like a different era for many Australians.
However, the tragedy in Bondi this past Sunday, which claimed 15 lives, has revived the ghosts of the Tasmanian tragedy.
Weapons Holdings at a Record High
A analysis revealed that there are now more than four million guns in private hands across the country – a figure that is almost double the amount from the late 1990s.
This translates to approximately a weapon for each small group of people.
While the state of Queensland has the highest number of legal firearms, followed by New South Wales (NSW) and the state of Victoria, it is Tasmania and the NT that have the highest rate of firearm ownership.
The data also challenges the common view that guns are primarily held by those in the countryside.
Weapons are widespread in cities and their outskirts, with a significant portion located in major cities.
Critically, there are now firearms concentrated among fewer owners, with the typical gun owner possessing over four firearms.
What Are Australia's Current Gun Laws?
Gun control laws in Australia are varied across the country, with a patchwork implementation of rules across states and territories.
Typically, to apply for a gun licence, an individual must be over 18, deemed a "responsible individual", pass a training and safety course, and provide a "valid purpose" for ownership.
The accepted reasons include hunting or culling, marksmanship, certain professional duties, and for collections.
However, significant gaps remain. For instance, young people in some states can have use of a firearm from as young as 10 or 12 years old.
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.
Certain types of firearms were banned, and security screenings alongside mandatory cooling-off periods for sales were introduced.
A key tenet of these reforms was the rejection of "home security" as a acceptable grounds for gun ownership.
Fresh Calls for Firearm Policy Changes
In the immediate aftermath the Bondi shooting, political leaders were clear about the need to bolster gun laws.
A weapons collection initiative was announced, marking the most significant such effort since 1996.
Other proposals now under consideration include:
- Limiting the number of guns an individual can have registered.
- Reforming "indefinite" licensing arrangements.
- Making Australian citizenship a prerequisite 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 Nuanced Discussion
These proposed changes have sparked debate from some quarters.
Pro-gun advocates contend that limiting gun numbers would not have prevented an attack driven by violent beliefs.
They suggest that political capital would be better spent combating radicalisation rather than restricting lawful owners for the vast majority of law-abiding citizens.
Furthermore, a long-promised reform from 1996 – a national firearms register – remains unfinished, though it has now been listed as a urgent task.
A Catalyst for Change
For campaigners, the Bondi attack is a horrific reminder that regulations must evolve with changing times.
They argue that reform is needed to "remain effective" and protect public safety.
While mass shootings remain infrequent in Australia compared to some nations, the risk persists, and the legacy of weapons being misused – through theft – continues to pose a problem.
As one advocate noted, "It's sad that it requires such a devastating event to prompt action and listen."
