An interesting point that I rarely see mentioned in this interminable discussion is that NOBODY IS INTERESTED IN TAKING GUNS AWAY except for a small fringe that would be greatly outnumbered in any election by, if I may use the expression, the pro-gun folks. The "government", whoever that is, has no interest in confiscating guns. Police departments would certainly like to get them out of the hands of criminals, but otherwise has no interest in confiscating guns. Saying that gun registration is a precurser to confiscating guns makes about as much sense as saying that car registration is preliminary to confiscating cars. NOBODY WANTS YOUR GUNS, DAMMIT. Collect them, show them off to your friends, hang them on your wall, hunt, target shoot. Guess what? Nobody cares.