After the slaughter of innocents at Sandy Hook last December, the nation seemed poised to enact common-sense gun controls. Poll s showed that even the majority of gun owners and NRA members were in favor of such measures as universal background checks and the banning of some military style assault weapons. Then, while most of us were still reeling with shock, the NRA went into high gear. Wayne LaPierre was all over the airways sounding like a cross between Elmer Gantry and an Old Testament prophet warning of Armageddon. His message: The government was coming to confiscate our guns and...