Australia had long been viewed as a international standard-bearer in firearm regulation – the Bondi attack has exposed a more complicated truth.
On a weekend day in 1996, a lone gunman armed with semi-automatic rifles took the lives of 35 people in the Tasmanian tourist destination of Port Arthur.
That horrific event nearly thirty years ago, which led to some of the most stringent weapons policies in the world, can seem like a bygone age for many citizens.
However, the shooting at Bondi this past Sunday, which resulted in 15 fatalities, has rekindled memories of the 1996 shootings.
Weapons Holdings at a Record High
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 the late 1990s.
This equates to approximately one gun for every seven Australians.
While the state of Queensland has the highest number of legal firearms, followed by New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria, it is Tasmania and the Northern Territory that have the most guns per person.
The data also dispels the common view that guns are mainly owned by rural residents.
Firearms are common in urban centres, with a large share located in major cities.
Critically, there are now more guns in fewer hands, with the typical gun owner possessing over four firearms.
Understanding Australia's Present Firearm Regulations?
Gun control laws in Australia are inconsistent across the country, with a patchwork implementation of rules in various regions.
Broadly speaking, to secure a gun licence, an individual must be an adult, deemed a "fit and proper person", pass a training and safety course, and provide a "legitimate need" for ownership.
The permitted justifications include recreational hunting or pest control, competitive shooting, certain occupational requirements, and as a hobby.
However, significant gaps remain. For instance, minors in some states can have supervision of a firearm from as young as pre-teen age.
Following the Port Arthur massacre, a comprehensive reform of national gun laws was enacted, leading to a massive buyback of over 650,000 firearms.
Certain types of firearms were banned, and security screenings alongside waiting periods for sales were introduced.
A key tenet of these reforms was the rejection of "self-defence" as a acceptable grounds for gun ownership.
Renewed Demands for Gun Law Reform
In the hours following the Bondi shooting, political leaders were forceful about the need to strengthen gun laws.
A national gun buyback scheme was unveiled, marking the first such effort since 1996.
Other planned reforms now under consideration include:
- Limiting the number of guns an individual can legally own.
- Addressing "indefinite" licensing arrangements.
- Making formal citizenship a condition for firearm ownership.
- Strengthening intelligence sharing during licence application processes.
There are also calls for periodic reassessments 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 restricting ownership would not have averted an attack driven by extremist ideology.
They suggest that focus would be better spent improving intelligence rather than restricting lawful owners for the vast majority of licensed individuals.
Furthermore, a key proposed reform from 1996 – a national firearms register – remains unfinished, though it has now been listed as a priority.
A Catalyst for Change
For long-time advocates, the Bondi attack is a horrific reminder that regulations must keep pace with technological advances.
They argue that strengthening is needed to "address deficiencies" and protect public safety.
While mass shootings remain infrequent in Australia compared to some nations, the risk persists, and the legacy of guns in the wrong hands – through black markets – continues to pose a challenge.
As one advocate noted, "It is regrettable that it needs such a devastating event to prompt action and take notice."
