Im not sure why this "so much for high capacity" argument persists when someone commits a crime using a "lesser" weapon. The only argument you are succeeding in giving the left is all guns need to be done away with not just their high capacity argument as obviously ANY gun is bad. With that so much for argument all you are saying to them is your 5 shot hunting rifle is just as bad. When you argue so much for background checks all you are saying is do away with the guns because doing background checks wont help. This "so much for" argument does not help our position.
In my opinion tougher immediate punishments are a deterrent. Did this thing happen back in the day, sure, but I believe to a lesser extent due to the punishment was known. There was no reform for a murderer or horse thief there was punishment. Get back to tough on the crime and I personally think things nose dive. You will certainly have those who do something regardless but it is better than where we are now