Interestingly enough, this was the original intent of the NFA - banning pistols. Eventually we ended up carving out an exception for allowing pistols but kept t

Interestingly enough, this was the original intent of the NFA - banning pistols. Eventually we ended up carving out an exception for allowing pistols but kept the restrictions on short barrel rifles, which were included only so people wouldn't turn rifles into pistols after they were banned. The law is a funny thing sometimes. Generally, I agree on pistols. The whole point of the second amendment is that people should be free to defend themselves from tyrannical governments and other threats. Handguns are much less useful in that capacity than long guns. Handguns are excellent if you need to conceal a weapon but I'm not sure there is a constitutional case for that. My concern about banning pistols is that it won't stop there, though - see current Canadian gun legislation.