In light of the recent shooting incident in Bondi, Australia’s gun control laws are under renewed scrutiny, prompting both federal and state governments to promise significant reforms to firearm legislation.

After a national cabinet meeting yesterday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that leaders are dedicated to revising regulations regarding the number of firearms permissible per license. They also plan to enhance the review process for individuals holding firearm licenses and intend to expand the powers of law enforcement agencies.

New South Wales Police have disclosed that one of the suspected shooters, Sajid Akram, had been a licensed firearm owner for a decade and owned six guns.

Australia’s current gun laws are based on the National Firearms Agreement, established in 1996 following the tragic Port Arthur massacre, which resulted in 35 fatalities.

Although authorities have yet to specify the types of firearms used in the Bondi attack, reports suggest that a bolt-action rifle and a shotgun were among the weapons involved.

Australians who want to use or own a gun must be in possession of a firearms licence or permit and pass a “fit and proper person” test.

Part of the licence application process includes undergoing a police background check and a mandatory course on firearms safety.

Under the 1996 legislation, rifles that fire bullets and shotguns that expel cartridges loaded with lead pellets are divided into four main categories.

Category A: Commonly single-shot rifles and shotguns with low power.

Category B: Higher powered firearms, including shotguns operated by “lever action” that can take up to five cartridges.

Category C: These weapons are more restricted and include self-loading rifles and shotguns, and also pump-action shotguns.

Licences are restricted to owners with a specified occupational interest or sporting purpose, such as pest control or clay target shooting.

Category D: The toughest controls cover these weapons, such as semi-automatic shotguns which hold more than five cartridges capacity, and semi-automatic rimfire rifles with a capacity of more than 10 rounds.

Since Sunday’s attack at Bondi, gun control advocates have repeated calls for firearms laws to be strengthened.

Gun Control Australia vice-president Roland Browne told Today this morning public safety had to be the priority.

“The balance needs to be strongly in favour of public health response by limiting … farmers, target shooters and people who use guns professionally to control animals,” he said.

Browne also called on the federal government to implement strict limits on the number of firearms people can have in their homes, and restrictions on owning guns in suburban and urban areas.