The difference is all the gun totin’ Trump voters genuinely believed, either via self delusion or with the assistance of right wing media, that Trump wouldn’t take their guns. They made up any number of excuses to rationalize what was said in order to maintain support for their man. “He didn’t actually mean it.” “He was just speaking figuratively.” “It was taken out of context.” Etc., etc.

That will last only right up until he actually does this. Never mind that it’s already too late in that they voted for him. I am predicting that exact moment is when the realization will finally set in. I’m sure many will probably also try to cope by trying to find someone else to blame. That won’t change the fact that in the moment, regardless of the rationale, showing up in a uniform and trying to kick in a paranoid nut’s door and tell him you’re here for his guns is a monumentally stupid idea. The element of surprise will surely work in the feds’ favor only until it comes out that the first gun owner has been killed as a result of a mass confiscation incident.

Both sides will ultimately and inevitably decide that “shoot first, ask questions second” will be the only viable strategy. Except it isn’t, when both sides are doing it. The only winning move is not to play.