If the Republican House passes ANY gun control measure, then those on FR who say “you have to stick with the Republicans because the Democrats are worse” are going to have little to support their argument. The Republicans have caved on taxes, caved on spending, are caving on homo-marriage, have all but surrendered on the abortion issue, and are setting us up for a cave on illegal immigration. Defending the right to bear arms is about all the GOP has left to distinguish themselves from the Dems.
And considering that the establishment wants the power just as much as the democrats, they will and do see a free people having weapons as being somewhat troublesome.