I think you are really on to something with your "fleet in being" analogy.
The mere presence of 100 million "assault" and scoped deer rifles stays the hands of our most rabid anti-freedom statists.
I think it only made them change tactics. Instead of a total ban, they've been using incrementalism, mixed with indoctrination in schools, propaganda, and histeria.
Less dangerous to them that way. Slower, but no less effective.