While I share your sardonic amazement, in reality, it is remarkable to see how far we've come. If you recall the 1968-1994 era, the success we're now having in rolling back restrictions on gun rights would have read like alt-history fiction.
At that time, you had to sign a register to buy any ammo that could fit a handgun. You couldn't buy a hunting rifle outside your own state. There was no concealed carry to speak of in at least 40 of the states. Handgun bans were passing in cities across the country, and fully automatic weapons had been banned nationwide on an unrecorded voice vote in Congress. It looked like semi-automatic weapons were next. Remember S.747?
As it turned out, a rather toothless and temporary assault weapons ban did get passed, and the Democrats got shellacked as a result in the very next election (1994). That seems to be when the country woke up. It has been one victory after another ever since then, and it seems likely that McDonald will give us our latest and greatest.
In yo' face, Sarah Brady, Chuck Schumer, Howard Metzenbaum, Ted Kennedy, and all the rest!
I slumbered like many, until 1989, when the Stockton incident enabled David Roberti to ram an “assault weapons” ban through the California legislature. The speed - and success - of that vile maneuver woke me up like an earthquake.
It has taken the rest of the country somewhat longer, but more - many more - of us are awake now...
I hear you. I’ve been involved in the RKBA issue since the early 90’s. I remember that time - we were under assault from ALL sides. It looked like we stood to lose everything in 1990 to 1994. I remember S.747 very well. The younger people in RKBA today cannot fathom, given the 16-year tide of wins in courts, that there was a time when we RKBA advocates were considering how to maintain any shred of the right in some states.
Then the 1994 elections happened, and Democrats were tossed out of control, with at LEAST 21 seats in the House being directly attributed to Chucky Schumer’s obsession with “assault weapons” - and the Democrats dropped gun control like a hot potato(e).
It has to be noted that it was NOT the NRA who is responsible for this result, it is one Alan Gura, a guy who listened to senior RKBA scholars like Don Kates and listened well. Don always said that one of the problems with most all gun cases is that the appellants were criminals. eg, Miller.
Don always said that a group of clean, law-abiding citizens needed to be found in the proper jurisdiction (either Chicago or DC) who would apply for permits and be denied, then take the case up the ladder to the SCOTUS. To Don, it was most important that the appellants be squeeky clean, so there was never, ever any consideration by the conservatives on the court that they’d be turning a criminal loose.
Gura followed Kates’ gameplan nearly exactly, and here we are.