They have been trying to get “traction” on gun control since 1962.
Back then they ONLY wanted to register handguns. “Rifles will not be affected”.
1981 they demanded gun owners “give up their handguns, and you can KEEP your rifles!”
1984 they made a grab for the rifles, and missed.
Rest assured that if they can get semi-auto rifles banned they will be back for more, namely handguns.
“Getting traction” on a slippery slope - seems like an oxymoron, right?
This is NOT a “win or lose” situation, it is a matter of getting enough information and education out there, and cut out the static.
Crazy or uninformed people should not, repeat not, have access to guns. Period.
Finding and properly managing these people is of first priority. The vast majority of people who possess side arms of any variety, have in mind to use them responsibly and with certain ground rules in place. Only a small minority, tiny in fact, of those in possession of firearms lack the knowledge or the judgment concerning the proper use, care, feeding, maintenance, or proper storage of sidearms of all types.
Guns, in and of themselves, possess no volition of their own. Only the person who cradles the weapon has that power. It may not always be possible to prevent persons with sinister intent from coming into possession, but we all can take steps to limit the extent of damage the lone carrier may pose.