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

[Meldread]

3. The First Amendment can prevent that from happening.

People have the right to free speech, including openly empathizing with ISIS and supporting its ideology. Just as people in the United States have the right to spread KKK and Neo-Nazi propaganda, support their ideology, and even join such groups. They are equally dangerous for the same reasons. However, we cannot imprison them if we do not have any evidence that they plan to engage in criminal activity. That does not mean, of course, that they are not dangerous individuals who SHOULD be monitored and COULD potentially engage in criminal activity--particularly violent criminal activity--based on previous actions from members of such groups.

I mean, literally, we could haul someone into court, they could stand there and say, "I hope ISIS gets nuclear weapons and kills every single American, and I also hope that members of ISIS get lots of guns and kill as many people as possible" and so long as they are not actively helping ISIS achieve such goals (i.e. helping / plotting an attack) they will be able to walk free. ...because they have the right to voice such an opinion.

Obviously, there are people on the lists who do not belong. We should want those people who don't belong removed, and everyone given due process. Not just because it is the right thing to do, but because it makes the list stronger and more efficient and doing what it is designed to do--keep potentially dangerous people from hurting innocent people.

I think you are right to be worried that a small incremental step could be taken, and then we'll pretend as if we have actually achieved something. I agree that it is by far not enough. However, we have to take an incremental step to move forward, to break the current narrative, and swing political momentum into our favor. Democrats are winning PR victories. They are motivating people and sending a strong message. Even getting this incremental legislation, that will do virtually nothing to stop gun violence in this country, feels like a steep mountain to climb. However, once we have a victory under our belt and prove that the NRA can be successfully challenged, it opens up the opportunity to do it again and again and again. Then slowly over time we chip away at the pro-gun lobby and their entrenched influence. Right now, people believe the NRA is undefeatable. Once it loses, people will no longer believe that. It is hard to get people mobilized behind a cause that many people feel is hopeless. Seizing control of the narrative is important.