With a registry stolen guns can be more easily traced, straw purchasers would be exposed through the frequency of their purchases (not to mention the transaction record), and folks like Paddock would at least be throwing up red flags before the attack. I don't subscribe to slippery slope arguments like registries being a precursor to confiscation. If and when that is the suggested policy, I'll oppose it right alongside you.

That said, knowing how many guns a recent violent felon or DV offender has would go a long way towards... well, towards keeping him from them.