Thanks for posting the reminder of this incident.
The media around here speculated that 'gangs" were going to purchase those firearms, but I suspect otherwise.
And this is not merely a book idea for Jeff or Travis!
There are quite a number of scenarios...but just thinking along the lines of really going "out there." What if, oh, 5 brigades of well-armed and trained Chinese special operations forces suddenly materialized in Washington, D.C. one day, and captured everyone of note, President on down, and sacked the Pentagon, and killed all personnel therein? Would we be checkmated from the get-go? A Fait accomplice? They may not expect to keep the country subjugated long, just distracted while they do other big things...like occupy Taiwan. Invade Australia and the Phillipines. Etc.
Who in the national chain of command would be left then to mobilize either domestic resistance or perhaps safeguard or use our strategic forces? We don't have Operation Looking Glass running anymore. And even if flying, what could they do? Would they be able to command the military assets surviving effectively? Particularly with all the civilian leadership held "hostage" so to speak? Would they, and even could they, retaliate directly against China?
Likely Not! with China now having ICBMs which can easily reach Chicago and the Twin Cities, not to mention all points further West.
Meanwhile, additional Chinese special forces could also be attempting to 'knee-cap' other critical defense installations...such as those important to our National Missile Defense, etc.
And then let's consider that they may be doing a number of other asymmetrical assaults simultaneously. The possibility of a major EMP attack is one that gives me sleepless nights. The Dept. of Homeland Security is "too busy" to be bothered with that one. More proof of the Peter Principal?