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In the aftermath of the horrific incident at Bondi, Australia is facing several critical conversations. There is a long-overdue national spotlight on anti-Jewish sentiment, an ongoing concern about public safety, and inquiries about the way such an event could occur. However, from the perspective of a public health expert and Australian Jew, the most important discussion we are now having revolves around firearms.

Ten Years of Warnings and a Successful Response

Health experts have been issuing warnings about firearms for a minimum of a decade. In the wake of the Port Arthur tragedy, Australians united and implemented a series of reforms to curb gun violence across the country. The strategy succeeded. Prior to 1996, the nation witnessed approximately one mass shooting per year. In the decades since, there have been extremely rare major events, with none reaching the death toll of the shootings in the 1980s and 1990s.

The Bondi Tragedy and the Role of Current Laws

Amidst the Bondi events, the nation's gun laws were partially effective. Reports indicate the alleged attackers possessed with manually-operated long guns and a straight-pull shotgun. These firearms can only fire a one round at a time, requiring a physical action to ready the next round. While these guns are capable of being discharged rapidly with lethal results, they remain far slower and more cumbersome than the large-magazine, semi-automatic rifles commonplace in overseas attacks. The casualty count at Bondi would've been far higher if more advanced firearms had been accessible.

Stopping a future Bondi requires unity across all states. Regrettably, there are already fissures in the united front.

Legislation Showing Weakness

However, the horrific toll of the attack demonstrates that existing gun laws are failing. Crafted in the late 1990s with the noblest aims, years have worn away their efficacy. Concerningly, there are currently a greater number of guns in Australia than prior to the Port Arthur massacre, with some individuals in cities reportedly holding collections of hundreds of weapons.

We have been complacent and it has exacted a terrible price.

The Path Ahead: Announced Changes

Since the Bondi tragedy, there have been numerous announcements regarding new firearm legislation. The state of NSW specifically will shortly enact a package of reforms to mitigate the collective risk from firearms. The federal government has proposed a new firearm surrender scheme, and there is potential for a national firearms registry, notwithstanding the inherent challenges of coordinating state and federal governments.

All of this are feasible if the nation acts in unison. As noted, when it comes to gun control, the country is dependent on its weakest link. This is the reality of the Australian system – laws in one state are much less meaningful if they can be avoided with a journey across a state line.

Addressing Common Arguments

There is the predictable argument that "guns don't kill people, people kill people". This is true in the same sense that planes don't transport people, aviators do. Yes, planes can't fly themselves, but it would be virtually impossible for a pilot to transport 500 people overseas without the plane. The mass slaughter seen at Bondi would be extremely difficult without firearms, and would have been far less damaging if the accused individuals had been denied access to the firearms they possessed.

Weighing Need and Safety

There are valid reasons for some Australians to possess firearms. Farm work or culling pests in many places is extremely difficult without them. A total ban of guns from the country is impractical, as in some cases they are indispensable.

What we can do – the imperative action – is to guarantee that firearm legislation are updated to accurately reflect the society we live in today. Australia's legislation have historically been the envy of the world, but time and distance has done its work and the nation is less secure as it once was. It is critical to take the lessons of Bondi seriously, and make certain that future generations are equally safe as previous generations have been.

As one friend observed after the Bondi attack, "such tragedies just don't happen here". They don't, but only because the country has made concerted efforts to maintain its security. As nightmarish as the attack was, there is hope that it can become the last one the nation experiences.