Australia has had some of the toughest gun laws for almost 30 years. These laws came after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, where 35 people died in Tasmania. The federal government worked with states to ban semiautomatic weapons, tighten licensing, and require a “genuine reason” to own guns. These steps made communities safer and kept mass shootings rare. However, the recent Bondi attack may shake this confidence. Details about the guns used in the attack are still unknown, including if they were legally bought. Experts warn that despite the strong laws, guns are still too easy to access in Australia. There are now over 4 million guns, nearly double the number in 2001, even after population growth. About 2,000 new guns enter the community every week legally. Some say this rise shows the gun lobby is gaining ground and pushing gun owners to be more politically active. Western Australia introduced stricter gun laws last year. These include limiting the number of guns one holder can own and stronger mental health checks. Police in WA called these laws a "beacon" for other states to follow for improved safety. Yet, problems remain: a promised national gun register is still not in place, and states have different and inconsistent rules. New challenges like 3D-printed guns and the "sovereign citizen" movement add pressure on law enforcement. As Australia watches these debates unfold, the fight over gun control is far from over.