Every new president, every newly seated congress, tries to pass some "signature" legislation in the first month to show the country they've "arrived"; To "assert" themselves; To "define" their terms of office; To "make good" on their campaign promises. This January will be no different. The congress and the new president will pass legislation by no later than March. But what will it be. An "energy" bill? A "trade" bill? Or "economic stimulus"? "Health care"? "Crime"? It's a sure bet they'll pass some form of gun control. Here's my take on what will be proposed and what may pass.
Medium Capacity Magazines:
An absolute ban will be proposed on magazines over 9 rounds (yes 9.....they're insidious folks). Turn'm in...no compensations for "illegal" devices. The compromise will be to ban possession of magazines over 10 rounds with such minor penalties that few people will comply. In fact that's how it'll be pitched. "Oh we're not coming after you." BUT you better not get caught with them. Thought the penalty will be a minor fine, it will bar you from possessing firearms or at least from a CCW. WHAT WILL PASS will be as before, a ban on importation and manufacture of new magazines over 10 rounds, with a twist in that current stock will have to be destroyed by manufacturers and dealers.
Ammunition:
Easy. All hard core bullets will be banned. Anything other than lead core will have to go. The insidious part here is that congress will work with the EPA to band lead bullets. Limits on the amount of ammo possessed will be passed. Probably in the range of 100 - 500 per caliber with a 1,000 round max. ARCHERS: The bill will also attempt to band solid metal shaft arrows (bolts), broad head tips and anything else that smacks of "armor piercing". SHOTGUNNERS: Those horrible slugs will have to go too. RELOADERS: They won't forget us either. They'll make sure there's no way around the ammo laws by reloading. Registration of reloaders (it's very dangerous after all) or possible restrictions on powder sales.
Firearms:
All semi-automatic rifles will be first. An outright ban will be proposed. I predict it'll boil down to a California style law with some model banned outright (AKS, ARs), others will be grandfathered in but no new manufacturing or importing. The ban will be tied to magazine capacity somehow. No it won't make sense. And shotguns will be included.
Handguns will be next. You can forget any handgun that fires shot shells for starters. How that plays with shot loaded into regular calibers is anyone's guess. I suspect there will be an attempt to define "police" handguns, which ordinary civilians will not be able to purchase. It'll boil down into a heavy restriction on polymer semi-autos and semi-autos under certain dimensions similar to current import laws.
THOSE are my predictions in the firearms area. Other areas of legislation probably will look as bad. Support NRA-ILA, SAF, JFPO.....support all RKBA organizations if you can.