My two cents:
The Sandy Hook tragedy was so disturbing, the gun control folks who have been laying in the weeds came joyously to life certain that the moment had come to push their agenda. The media was nearly hysterical in pushing the agenda. But a funny thing happened. Opinion polls showed very little change in public opinion about gun control even a few days after the event. And the lack of action in Washington reflected it.
It is important to remember that the last Federal assault rifle ban caused gun owners to rise up in an angry mob and flay the Congress. It was a bloodbath. Congressmen in very secure positions lost their seats and others had to fight for their lives. And Congress remembers. Gun control is poison for most congressmen. Congress let Obama know that it could not support any major gun control legislation and warned Obama that he could easily lose both houses and end up a lame duck if they passed anything substantial.
The result was a resounding thud as the gun control ballon hit the ground. Obama made all the right noises, but then punted the issue to a committee headed by Biden the Clown. Meanwhile in Congress, aside from the usual flack from the usual gang, there was a big nothing. Harry Reid said they didn't have time for gun control. Others said to wait for the Biden Committee. More delay.
And now, after massive fanfare, the President's list of executive actions is a great big nothing. It is fluff designed to make it look like he did something when he didn't. And the press is playing it as a major event just to keep from losing face.
Despite the media hysteria and the massive push by gun control advocates, there was never any interest on Capital Hill. Obama was forced into a corner by the media rant and had to make some kind of show of doing something, and he just did. But it is without substance. And now that he has made his show, he has punted back to Congress where it will die.
Not only will there be no gun ban, I now predict that there will be no magazine ban either. Indeed, I don't think there will be ANY real gun control coming out of Congress this session. We might even get the gun free school zone repealed.
Call me an optimist. :)
