Gun control need not seize firearms nationwide to curb legal ownership, commentator Cam Edwards writes. Estimates put owners at 80 million to 100 million people holding about 500 million guns, making large collections impractical, a view attorney Eric de Moya also voiced while urging a shift toward safety instruction.

Edwards says advocates instead raise costs through permit fees, lengthy required courses, extra shooting tests, official discretion on approvals, taxes, insurance rules, storage mandates, and bans on carrying in many locations, often backed by criminal penalties. He predicts courts will reject some rifle and pistol bans yet expects groups such as Brady, Giffords, and Everytown to keep using paperwork and fees rather than drop the campaign. Edwards has reported on the issue for two decades and sits on a rights-organization board.