Australia was widely regarded as a international standard-bearer in weapons legislation โ Bondi has revealed a more complicated truth.
On a Sunday afternoon in the year 1996, a lone gunman using semi-automatic rifles murdered 35 people in the historic site of Port Arthur.
That national tragedy nearly thirty years ago, which sparked some of the toughest gun laws in the world, can appear as a different era for many residents.
However, the shooting at Bondi this past Sunday, which claimed 15 lives, has rekindled memories of the 1996 shootings.
Firearm Possession at a Unprecedented Level
A study released earlier this year revealed that there are now in excess of four million privately-owned firearms across the country โ a figure that is roughly two times the amount from two decades prior.
This translates 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 NT that have the most guns per person.
The data also challenges the popular notion that guns are mainly owned by rural residents.
Guns are prevalent in metropolitan and suburban areas, with a sizable percentage located in population centres.
Critically, there are now firearms concentrated among fewer owners, with the registered individual possessing several firearms.
What Are Australia's Existing Weapons Policies?
Firearm regulations in Australia are inconsistent across the country, with a disparate implementation of rules between different jurisdictions.
Broadly speaking, to obtain a gun licence, an individual must be an adult, deemed a "fit and proper person", pass a safety program, and provide a "valid purpose" for ownership.
The permitted justifications include hunting or culling, target or sport shooting, certain occupational requirements, and as a hobby.
However, significant loopholes remain. For instance, young people in some areas can have supervision 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 massive buyback of over 650,000 firearms.
Automatic and semi-automatic rifles were banned, and vetting procedures alongside waiting periods for sales were introduced.
A key tenet of these reforms was the rejection of "self-defence" as a valid reason for gun ownership.
Fresh Calls for Firearm Policy Changes
In the wake the Bondi shooting, political leaders were unequivocal about the need to tighten gun laws.
A national gun buyback scheme was proposed, 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.
- Enhancing intelligence sharing during licence application processes.
There are also calls for ongoing evaluations of existing licence holders, acknowledging that "situations evolve" over time.
A Complicated Debate
These proposed changes have met with opposition from some quarters.
Pro-gun advocates contend that imposing caps would not have stopped an attack driven by radicalisation.
They suggest that resources would be better spent addressing root causes rather than restricting lawful owners for the great bulk of responsible owners.
Furthermore, a critical reform from 1996 โ a centralised weapon tracking system โ remains unfinished, though it has now been listed as a key project.
A Catalyst for Change
For reformers, the Bondi attack is a tragic indication that policies must be updated with new threats.
They argue that strengthening is needed to "remain effective" and protect public safety.
While mass shootings remain uncommon in Australia compared to some nations, the risk persists, and the ongoing issue of firearms circulating illegally โ through black markets โ continues to pose a danger.
As one advocate noted, "It is unfortunate that it requires such a devastating event to prompt action and listen."
