It's the old "Camel's nose under the tent flap" fear, the "foot in the door" clap trap.
The NRA feeds on fear and lies. If the government can take a nutballs guns, when will they come for mine? Gun nuts vote, and the gutless po9liticians cater to them with tales of how they will protect our rights to buy as many guns as we will need when the government takes away all our rights.

If you think education is expensive, consider ignorance.

Ignorance breeds fear and fear breeds hate. (And the haters breed)