“To me, however, the bridge ‘too far’ is area of effect weapons. Such weapons, to me, belong only in a structured environment which has self regulation. “
The natural laws of economics would place limits on the ownership of such weapons, without the government doing so. Nuclear weapons, artillery, and the like are expensive. Only the (very)wealthiest citizens, corporations, and local and state governments could afford them, and that would limit their number and use accordingly.
I appreciate your thinking on such a thing, but the reality is that a deadly chemical and explosive weapons can be made from common goods. Making delivery systems for them as well is easy and inexpensive. Just because a cannon costs tens of thousands in a store does not mean making one runs more than $20. Or a rocket launcher that runs tens of millions can't be reproduced using adopted materials for hundreds.
And would you really care for Apple Militia? Google Forces? NBC Rangers? Or the Rainbow Fudge Packer Squadron launching an attack on Chick-Fil-A?
I'm certainly more concerned with this solution than the existing status of my rights being infringed.