Australia was widely regarded as a international standard-bearer in weapons legislation – the Bondi tragedy has laid bare a more complicated truth.
On a spring day in 1996, a solitary shooter using powerful firearms killed 35 people in the historic site of Port Arthur.
That horrific event nearly three decades ago, which led to some of the most stringent gun laws in the world, can seem like a distant memory for many Australians.
However, the shooting at Bondi this past Sunday, which left 15 dead, has revived the ghosts of the Tasmanian tragedy.
Gun Ownership at a Record High
A study released earlier this year revealed that there are now more than four million privately-owned firearms across the country – a figure that is roughly two times the amount from the late 1990s.
This equates to approximately one firearm per seven citizens.
While the state of Queensland has the most registered guns, followed by NSW and Victoria, it is Tasmania and the Northern Territory that have the highest rate of firearm ownership.
The data also contradicts the widespread belief that guns are mostly possessed by those in the countryside.
Weapons are widespread in urban centres, with a significant portion located in population centres.
Critically, there are now weapons owned by a smaller group, with the average licence holder possessing over four firearms.
What Are Australia's Present Firearm Regulations?
Gun control laws in Australia are not uniform across the country, with a mixed implementation of rules in various regions.
Generally, to obtain a gun licence, an individual must be over 18, deemed a "responsible individual", pass a competency test, and provide a "legitimate need" for ownership.
The allowable purposes include recreational hunting or pest control, marksmanship, certain professional duties, and as a hobby.
However, significant gaps remain. For instance, individuals under 18 in some states can have access to 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 massive buyback of over 650,000 firearms.
Rapid-fire weapons were banned, and vetting procedures alongside mandatory cooling-off periods 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 Gun Law Reform
In the immediate aftermath the Bondi shooting, political leaders were unequivocal about the need to bolster gun laws.
A country-wide firearm surrender program was unveiled, marking the largest such effort since 1996.
Other suggested measures now under consideration include:
- Limiting the number of guns an individual can possess.
- Addressing "open-ended" licensing arrangements.
- Making Australian citizenship a prerequisite for firearm ownership.
- Improving intelligence sharing during background check processes.
There are also calls for regular reviews of existing licence holders, acknowledging that "people's circumstances can change" over time.
A Complicated Debate
These proposed changes have met with opposition from some quarters.
Pro-gun advocates argue that restricting ownership would not have averted an attack driven by violent beliefs.
They suggest that resources would be better spent combating radicalisation rather than restricting lawful owners for the overwhelming number of licensed individuals.
Furthermore, a long-promised reform from 1996 – a national firearms register – remains incomplete, though it has now been listed as a key project.
A Painful Reminder
For campaigners, the Bondi attack is a horrific reminder that gun laws must keep pace with technological advances.
They argue that reform is needed to "address deficiencies" and prevent future tragedies.
While mass shootings remain infrequent in Australia compared to some nations, the threat persists, and the challenge of guns in the wrong hands – through poor storage – continues to pose a danger.
As one advocate reflected, "It's sad that it needs such a loss of life to prompt action and listen."
