Obama solidifies his base, makes the Republicans look bad among supporters who otherwise might stray, and makes himself look "decisive" and "determined."
Of course, enough anti-gun publicity now might make a move in the future easier. I don't know if assault weapons are the place to make a counter-move, though.
I believe that is exactly right.
This is the opening salvo of the democrats 2014 election campaign to retake the House of Representatives.
Republicans are busy looking back, wringing their hands over the last election and trying to exterminate conservatives in their ranks.
Meanwhile, democrats are preparing to drop a nuclear bomb on them in 2014.