With the modern communications methods anyone who encounters the beginnings of such a mass confiscation has the first responsibility to get the word out. You should have a communication web set up far in advance, so you’re not just one lone “kook” crying out in the wilderness whom none will listen to.
Then, others can go into “I sold my [good stuff] several years ago but here’s my [cheap rifle/handgun]” mode.
One thing the feds might do is try to shut down communications, but that will be an automatic “hide ‘em till it’s time to fight back on our terms” mode.
In all honesty there won’t be any predictable pattern, my guess first off most states especially the ones that have opted out of Obamacre will instead form a State Militia, my state Alaska has one in place and all Alaskans eligible and willing to partake in defending the state can be armed.
This what could be the scenario, the Obama regime is trying to rule through fear, fortunately for some states and sadly for others some will strongly resist any Federal gun search program, look at what Arizona is going through for some insight, they are actually under siege from illegal immigrants, many that are armed.
So AZ is told by the Feds to give up its guns, the illegals swarm across the border, the military is too busy grabbing guns to put up a fight.
It just cannot arguably happen, its insanity. No I doubt it will happen in some places, but then again I expect it to happen in places like CA, my advice...get away from those places while you can.