When was the last significant federal anti-gun legislation passed? 1994? 1996?
There has been a federal moratorium on anti-gun laws since the big AW ban in 1994. It became a bad issue for Clinton during his latter years and no new anti-gun legislation was shoved through congress since then. (correct me if I am wrong)
The brief reapproval of the AW ban in late Feb. early March of 2004 by the Senate was just that; brief. While we can debate over and over why the Senate chose to reauthorize the AW ban as an amendment to the first firearms manufactures protection act, it did happen and exposed a Senate in which almost all Demos and some Repubs wanted it back. Or did they do it to kill the overall bill? Or did they do it because it was a presidential election year and they wanted it to "seem" like they would and could reauthorize it?
Regardless the Dems wanted more "gun control" during the 90s and never got it. They screamed, kicked, and cried and when Columbine happened I thought for sure there would be something. Yet nothing happened.
Issues that are always on the anti-gunner's desk:
1. Assault weapons - because we know how scary looking they are.
2. Gun shows - because legal transactions between individuals are not good unless the .gov is involved.
3. .50 BMG rifles - because there are no safe airplanes, satellites, and .gov officials as long as .50 rifles are available to the general public.
4. Armor piercing ammunition - because Teddy Kennedy is always worried about police officers so your 30-30 ammo along with just about all rifle ammo should be banned or severely regulated.
5. Handgun ownership - "Saturday Night Specials," inexpensive low grade pistols, and yes, even your custom 1911 are extremely dangerous because they can be concealed.
6. Firearm owner licensing - You have to have a license and pass a test to drive a car; but not guns.
7. Firearm registration - Hey, your car has a title and is registered in the state you live in. Why not guns?
These are some of the major issues I've seen the demos use or throw up there. If they regain power these will be some of the issues they will fight for or debate to death. Expect the media to go right along with the program and demonize gun owners and manufactures. They will probably even raise hunters to a higher level to separate the bolt gun and duck hunters from those who own evil AW and those who carry a pistol for self defense.
It will be ugly and we will have to fight hard.