I don't know how change might happen, or what direction any change may take.

Because of our very different histories, what has worked and is politically possible in the UK is not a sociopolitical option in the USA.

There is a vast 'middle' of people in the USA that support some regulation of gun ownership, but it is a remarkably diverse middle with little focus, and therefore ineffective politically.

The NRA is a very strong, on-message, and well-financed lobby that plays to fears of 'slippery slope, has a terrific propaganda machine that has proved effective for many years, and deep pockets that can pretty much insure sufficient fear mongering, targeted political marketing, and either distribution or withholding of campaign contributions such that they control, and will continue to control, the conversation about guns for a very long time.

The NRA has a very clear and unambiguous agenda. No restrictions on who may own guns at all, and no restrictions on types of guns available for sale to the general public.

That is not a view shared by most citizens, including, probably, some significant number of dues paying NRA members. However, there is little uniformity among the vast middle regarding what and who should be regulated or restricted. Not surprising, given whst a huge landmass we encompass with large, urban areas and also broad swathes of very rural areas, and everything in between.

It is not surprising to me that people in the UK, and possibly all of western Europe, don't get the complexity around guns in the USA. I can't say I 'get it' myself, but I do know that history, geography, vast rural spaces, etc. all contribute.

More later. Mebbe. Stopping in mid-stream of consciousness cuz I have to get to bed.