What was the RKBA/GUN climate like in 1994?

I remember the buying frenzy fools went on for high capacity mags when they Brady Bill was implemented. People were paying upwards of 100 bucks for certain mags. One guy I work with paid 70 bucks for a plastic 30 rd mag for a Ruger 10/22 and was proud of it. I had bought one a couple of years earlier at Walmart for less than 15 bucks.

Back then we had a 5 day waiting period. The AWB was called the Brady Bill after a republican staffer who was injured in an attempt on Regan. The wife became the spokesman and he became the poster child for banning guns. The legislation was very much argued in public about stocks, flash hiders, and magazine size. There was a run in the gun stores much like we have seen over the last 2.5 years. After the bill was signed into law the effect was no effect except to limit ownership and IMHO strengthen the NRA. Back then most women had stayed away from guns. I think the attention got more women involved with guns. Ultimately I believe that acceptance of firearms by women has been the reason for widespread acceptance of firearms across the country. I further believe that the lack of success by TSA in the airports and on the border has lead to a inherent understanding that we need to be responsible for our own safety.

The AWB DID cripple the antis. By Clinton's own admission Gore lost 5 states because of the 1994 ban so yes the ban was devastating to the antis.

As far as the NRA's position on assault weapons and other "hot guns" thats still a matter of concern and aggravation for me. In all honesty the NRA has gotten better about defending the rights of the assault weapons but they still have a ways to go. Takes time to change an organization's ways.

As far as availability it depends on which guns you are talking about. For us AK enthusiasts things were looking to get better and then the barrel ban hit hard. During the ban I watched AKS74U kits drop from $700 to $200 only to skyrocket after the barrel ban. Couldn't have the folding stocks and removable brakes but that could be worked around. AR15s are better today in the aspect of magazines and stocks. Oddly the pricing on ARs did not drop as one would have hoped but then again the AR15 is the #1 sought after rifle in this country.

The AWB hurt the anti gunners. The IT boom helped. Now people could get real information, like when they ask why anyone needs an assualt weapon, you ask what is an assault weapon?

The AR did not have the capabilities it does now. So when you ask what good is it for, today its great for so much, look at what Remmington sells.

Also many before the ban many thought and assault weapon was a full automatic. What a shock when they find out.

Today people understand that its easy to expand a law once its in place. So its now a bad issue. Look at the AWB, once they realized it didnt do anything they just had to expand it to cover anything

Information hurt the anti gunners. look at teflon bullets. they are banned because......?

Further unfortunatly many police departments are viewed as Tax and Fee not Protect and Serve.

Because gun ownership is so widespread today we have not seen huge increases in crime I would have expected during the poor economic times. Also I believe the segment of society which fears the government is more widespread today. People have seen republicans and Democrats take away our individual rights for the "greater good". Back then the general consensus was that the government promoted freedoms. Waco Randy Weaver TSA events in Mexico health care etc has damaged these beliefs. So now we have the tea party and portions of the silent majority which have become very outspoken.