They've finally realized that gun control is a loser as a political issue.

The hard-core gun grabbers are still whining about it though.

Problem for the Dems is after fifty years of being the Party of Gun Control, the reputation they have earned will follow them. Nobody is going to believe that Hillary, Boxer, DiFi or Edwards (AKA Dan Quayle part II) are all of a sudden going to change their votes just because they are no longer talking about the issue. Don't like the rep, don't earn it...
The real test will be the Assault Weapons sunset, coming up soon.

The quote from Ragin' Cajun James "Snake Head" Carville is priceless.

I imagine him squinting down at the table, rolling his bald head around, and in his sharp Magnolia-mouthed stammer proclaiming:

"...I think it?s a loser political issue. ? I think the issue has not been good for us. On top of that, I like guns."

Marvelous. :)