You need a history? Here is how I remember it from my youth.
1962 We ONLY want to register handguns. Rifles will not be affected!
1964, We ONLY want to register ALL firearms, not ban them.
1968 We ONLY want to register all guns, and ban the import of foreign Saturday Night Specials, and 5-shot bolt action army surplus rifles! (they got the ban).
1970, We ONLY want to ban small American handguns. Rifles will not be affected!
1976 We ONLY want to ban ALL handguns! Rifles will not be affected!
1981, Actress Lee Grant on GMA screams...”THE NRA IS A RIFLE ORGANIZATION! THEY SHOULD GIVE UP THEIR HANDGUNS AND THEY CAN KEEP THEIR RIFLES!”
1986, They came for the rifles.
And if they can get a ban on semi-auto rifles they will go for their original target, handguns.
Of course you may be right, but I believe rifles are a greater priority for them. The rifle is the tool of revolt, and therefore poses the greater threat to politicians. Handguns pose a greater impediment to secret police showing up at your door at three in the morning – but that will come later.