Fear should not dictate U.S. politics. Common sense should ameliorate our understanding. As an example: More people die from DUI's than from assault rifles each year.
The United States government should use intelligence, not feelings, when enacting new policies. Why is alcohol not banned? Why are mental evaluations not requested for those that want to earn a driver's license due to a certain percentage of people that may get a DUI?
If the United States government were sincerely worried about the safety of the US populace, the DUI situation would be far ahead of a assault rifle ban. That is an example. President Obama did say in 2008: "I will not take your shotgun away, I will not take your rifle away, I won't take your handgun away."
What if I want to buy an AR in late 2012?