The number of firearms in Australia is dramatically higher than before the Port Arthur massacre that killed 35 people, raising fears the gun lobby’s efforts to relax national restrictions are bearing fruit.

It comes as the bitter political fallout continues over revelations senior One Nation figures James Ashby and Steve Dickson lobbied America’s National Rifle Association (NRA) for $20 million in funding, and discussed trying to undermine Australia’s strict gun controls with NRA officials.

John Howard addresses gun owners in Sale following the Port Arthur massacre. Credit:Colin Murty

In 2017, there were an estimated 3.6 million firearms in Australia, compared with 3.2 million in 1996 - the year of the Port Arthur mass killings. In 1997, after former prime minister John Howard’s successful guns buyback, there were an estimated 2.5 million firearms in the country.

The startling figures are contained in a report, Hunters and Collectors: Gun use and ownership in Australia, by left-leaning think tank The Australia Institute.