If they had been smart they would have focused like a laser on NICS expansion, and disavowed any AWB or other gun grab. Then Obama could have said I will not touch any firearm, bullet, or your right to buy them lawfully. But it strikes me the anti-gun movement is really not very well put together. They've got a mix of ancient blue hairs who really have an emotional problem with EBR's and would never be willing to shut up about them. And they've got a lot of soccer moms who want "something done" but aren't clear on specifics because they don't really know anything about firearms. A few old Fudds may be willing to break ranks to toddle over and yammer about how no hunter would need one a dem black rifles, but they're far fewer in number now than they were 20 years ago, and none of them own major firearm companies now (clears throat). The astonishing sales figures tend to confirm the AR has become America's Rifle. That's tough to fight. I'd be much more worried about defections if they were looking exclusively to expand NICS. And ironically NICS itself, with the hard data it provides, has helped us show how popular the AR's are. Even our Dear Leader has heard of the figures, and blames them on the fear mongers at the NRA of course.
In the long term, I suspect we may well see a more focused effort on NICS expansion. But the Hill is already gearing up for yet another budget cliff fight and I don't see anything like that coming out of the process. Signing the raft of EO's has basically been flipping off the House.
