Despite wishing that all guns could be removed from society..

[Meldread]

1. It's a necessary step in the right direction.

I agree about concerns over due process. This is something that should be fixed with the lists regardless of whether or not gun control legislation passes, and should absolutely be part of the bill if it does. It is the only legitimate criticism offered by the pro-gun lobby.

However, this isn't an argument against the existence of such a list. The First Amendment allows people to have the right to view and spread terrorist propaganda, and even declare their moral support for terrorism. This is not a bad thing--it is helpful when people declare themselves in such a way, or are simply clumsy and end up getting caught. However, it is equally acceptable for the government to declare someone a risk for terrorist actions, and create a list restricting their ability to fly, buy guns, and engage in other activities that may be a danger to others. Such restrictions are not a violation of their rights anymore than it is a violation of a domestic abuser or a convicted felon's right to own a gun. Dangerous people should not be given dangerous weapons or given the opportunity to hurt or kill innocent people.

You are right, this is not enough. Not by a long shot. However, right now this is legislation that is supported by 90% of the American people. It is not controversial. It is common sense and most people will support it. This makes it easy to organize around, easy to energize people into action, easy to dramatize just how deeply the Republicans are in the pocket of the gun lobby, and it is an easy first step toward something bigger. It is important to win a victory, because it is important to break the narrative that nothing will change, that this is the new normal, and that nothing will happen. When people believe that things CAN change and WILL change, and they know that there are people willing to fight for that change, they will be willing to come out and organize behind those people who are fighting. A change in the narrative is important. It begins to shift momentum toward our side and away from theirs... and we are fighting on favorable ground.