Thats the problem, everyone is so scared and too afraid that they are going to lose their favorite thing, so they keep their heads down, mouths shut and don't rock the boat. Fear sells and business is great!
I saw the writing on the wall back when Regan screwed us in 86. The NRA and others did nothing to even warn us it was coming, and as usual, they still do nothing, other than continue to stoke the fear so they can keep making money. They need all the drama just as much as those who are in power. I was a member then and that was the last year I sent them a dime.
I was involved with a group of machine gun owners that came together at the time who were trying to get things turned around and going, but as you said, it was a hill, and its basically a Fudd/Sportsmans Mountain. Having been involved with and living in the NFA realm since basically birth, Ive personally dealt with quite a few that would gladly give you up and throw you under the bus, if they thought they would be left alone, and have actually had people tell me that. I have no illusions where we are and where we will continue to go. And unfortunately, I think the point of no return could soon be here if not already past. Hundreds of millions of guns don't mean a thing if no one does anything to keep them.
And its too bad, especially for guns like the ones in this thread. The real versions are viable tools, when not neutered, and fun as hell to shoot to boot. Unfortunately, most these days wont ever get a chance to know, let alone actually learn to shoot one, and that sucks.
On a more positive note, I have been seeing more and more people are starting to wise up about and understand what our government actually is, and where the power they claim and use against us actually lies and applies. Thats more likely a path to take to get things restored, and in all directions, to where it needs to be. But that mountain and fear is still there, nd continues to hold us back.