Australia had long been viewed as a international standard-bearer in firearm regulation – the Bondi tragedy has laid bare a far more complex truth.
On a weekend day in the year 1996, a solitary shooter using powerful firearms murdered 35 people in the Tasmanian tourist destination of Port Arthur.
That massacre nearly thirty years ago, which ushered in some of the most stringent firearm regulations in the world, can feel like a bygone age for many Australians.
However, the tragedy in Bondi this past Sunday, which claimed 15 lives, has brought back painful recollections of the Tasmanian tragedy.
Firearm Possession at a Unprecedented Level
A recent report 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 a weapon for each small group of people.
While the state of Queensland has the largest arsenal, followed by NSW and the state of Victoria, it is the island state and the NT that have the greatest density of weapons.
The data also contradicts the popular notion that guns are mainly owned by rural residents.
Weapons are widespread in urban centres, with a sizable percentage located in urban hubs.
Critically, there are now more guns in fewer hands, with the average licence holder possessing several firearms.
Examining Australia's Existing Weapons Policies?
Weapons legislation in Australia are varied across the country, with a mixed implementation of rules across states and territories.
Typically, to apply for a gun licence, an individual must be over 18, deemed a "suitable candidate", pass a safety program, and provide a "genuine reason" for ownership.
The allowable purposes include hunting or culling, marksmanship, certain professional duties, and for collections.
However, significant gaps remain. For instance, young people in some states can have access to a firearm from as young as 10 or 12 years old.
Following the Port Arthur massacre, a comprehensive reform of national gun laws was enacted, leading to a voluntary hand-in of over 650,000 firearms.
Certain types of firearms were outlawed, and security screenings alongside waiting periods for sales were introduced.
A key tenet of these reforms was the removal of "personal protection" as a valid reason for gun ownership.
Fresh Calls for Firearm Policy Changes
In the immediate aftermath the Bondi shooting, political leaders were clear about the need to tighten gun laws.
A weapons collection initiative was announced, marking the most significant such effort since 1996.
Other suggested measures now under consideration include:
- Limiting the number of guns an individual can have registered.
- Addressing "perpetual" licensing arrangements.
- Making formal citizenship a condition for firearm ownership.
- Enhancing intelligence sharing during licence application processes.
There are also calls for regular reviews of existing licence holders, acknowledging that "people's circumstances can change" over time.
An Ongoing Controversy
These reform efforts have drawn criticism from some quarters.
Pro-gun advocates contend that imposing caps would not have prevented an attack driven by violent beliefs.
They suggest that resources would be better spent improving intelligence rather than restricting lawful owners for the overwhelming number of responsible owners.
Furthermore, a critical reform from 1996 – a national firearms register – remains incomplete, though it has now been listed as a priority.
Tragedy as a Wake-Up Call
For long-time advocates, the Bondi attack is a stark warning that policies must evolve with new threats.
They argue that strengthening is needed to "keep up-to-date" and prevent future tragedies.
While mass shootings remain infrequent in Australia compared to some nations, the potential persists, and the challenge of guns in the wrong hands – through poor storage – continues to pose a danger.
As one advocate stated, "It's sad that it needs such a tragedy to get people to wake up and pay heed."
