I come to supporting robust federal gun control late.

[gratuitous]

2. When intelligent people gather more data

They often modify their views. That's why they're intelligent.

Considering how foolish far too many people are in their ownership of firearms, reasonable regulation isn't just a good idea, it's societal malpractice not to have a uniform code by which all firearms owners must abide. For example, a person who is so negligent in his handling and storage of his firearms that he is caught at an airport screening with a gun in his luggage loses his right to keep and bear arms. The debate should be on whether that right is forfeit temporarily or permanently.