I’ve mentioned this in an earlier thread concerning this issue, but this reminds me of the story behind the eighteen amendment (the institution of Prohibition) in the United States. If I am not mistaken, one thing that gave the movement to ban the manufacture, sale, and possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages was the First World War. There apparently was a stigma against taking a drink as celebration/fun related activities were curtailed because of men being away fighting in Europe. As a result, it was just that bit easier to put forth Prohibition, even though of course it was a very tragically wrong thing for the government to have done so.
It’s so obvious that the Obama administration nearly a century later wants to do the same sort of thing with firearms (and of course, repeat the same tragic and hypocritical mistakes).
Here’s an interesting anecdote.
More people drank alcohol DURING prohibition than before or after.