Australia was widely regarded as a global exemplar in gun control – the Bondi tragedy has revealed a far more complex truth.
On a spring day in April 1996, a lone gunman armed with semi-automatic rifles took the lives of 35 people in the Tasmanian tourist destination of Port Arthur.
That national tragedy nearly thirty years ago, which sparked some of the most stringent weapons policies in the world, can appear as a different era for many Australians.
However, the shooting at Bondi this past Sunday, which left 15 dead, has rekindled memories of the Port Arthur massacre.
Weapons Holdings at a Record High
A recent report 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 about 20 years ago.
This means approximately a weapon for each small group of people.
While the state of Queensland has the largest arsenal, followed by New South Wales (NSW) and 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 rural residents.
Weapons are common in cities and their outskirts, with a sizable percentage located in population centres.
Critically, there are now more guns in fewer hands, with the registered individual possessing over four firearms.
What Are Australia's Existing Weapons Policies?
Gun control laws in Australia are inconsistent across the country, with a disparate implementation of rules across states and territories.
Broadly speaking, to apply for a gun licence, an individual must be over 18, deemed a "suitable candidate", pass a training and safety course, and provide a "valid purpose" for ownership.
The allowable purposes include hunting or culling, marksmanship, certain occupational requirements, and collecting.
However, significant shortcomings remain. For instance, individuals under 18 in some areas can have access to 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 massive buyback of over 650,000 firearms.
Rapid-fire weapons were prohibited, and vetting procedures alongside delays for sales were introduced.
A key tenet of these reforms was the elimination of "personal protection" as a acceptable grounds for gun ownership.
Fresh Calls for Firearm Policy Changes
In the wake the Bondi shooting, political leaders were unequivocal about the need to bolster gun laws.
A national gun buyback scheme was unveiled, marking the first such effort since 1996.
Other suggested measures now under consideration include:
- Capping the number of guns an individual can possess.
- Addressing "indefinite" licensing arrangements.
- Making formal citizenship a condition for firearm ownership.
- Strengthening intelligence sharing during vetting processes.
There are also calls for ongoing evaluations of existing licence holders, acknowledging that "situations evolve" over time.
A Nuanced Discussion
These proposed changes have met with opposition from some quarters.
Pro-gun advocates contend that imposing caps would not have averted an attack driven by violent beliefs.
They suggest that resources would be better spent improving intelligence rather than tightening regulations for the overwhelming number of responsible owners.
Furthermore, a key proposed reform from 1996 – a country-wide gun database – remains incomplete, though it has now been listed as a key project.
A Painful Reminder
For campaigners, the Bondi attack is a tragic indication that policies must evolve with technological advances.
They argue that modernisation is needed to "keep up-to-date" and protect public safety.
While mass shootings remain uncommon in Australia compared to some nations, the potential persists, and the legacy of firearms circulating illegally – through theft – continues to pose a danger.
As one advocate reflected, "It is unfortunate that it requires such a loss of life to focus attention and take notice."