I think 4-5 years is ambitious because this isn't a social equality issue like gay marriage was, plus it's a constitutional protection. Buuuuut, we have had assault weapons bans, there are gunshow loopholes that can reasonably and pragmatically be closed, as well as a host of other minor legislation. With gay marriage, I got the sense even as it was getting shut down by state referendum momentum was actually building against that and the referendums were fueled by a desperate fear on the right while the tide was turning beneath their feet. I'm looking for that current here, but I have to say I'm coming up a bit short. That being said, I'm not going to stop being politically engaged on the issue...but it's true that I'm pretty pessimistic at the moment.
Well, 4-5 years before what? I don't think we're Australia but I think the tide is turning towards "common-sense gun laws." What's "common sense?" There's gonna be a debate there. I mean, you can't own .50 cal or assault rifles in California. That's an infringement on the 2nd amendment. Illinois requires showing a specific ID. That's infringement. Hawaii requires registration. That's infringement. New York City requires a permit. Massachusetts is its own thing. And that's how it starts. Local municipalities sick of the chaos do something that requires the NRA to strike it down, and the NRA doesn't. Before too long, you'll see something at the Supreme Court. - Massachusetts Declaration of Rights, Article 17"The people have a right to keep and bear arms for the common defense. And as, in time of peace, armies are dangerous to liberty, they ought not to be maintained without the consent of the legislature, and the military power shall always be held in an exact subordination to the civil authority, and be governed by it.”