It’s not unprecedented. Look at Elian Gonzales. If we took a poll of Freepers, about 25%-50% would agree with the Clintons on that one.
Elian Gonzales was a single point target, and everyone knew it; not a sweep of armed Americans. It’s easy to deploy overwhelming force in such a situation. Any feasible confiscation scenario would not enjoy such a tactical advantage.
Therefore, your example is not really relevant.