The Constitution was interpreted as not guaranteeing citizens (outside of "militia" members) the right to "carry arms" for two centuries, at least.
"The Supreme Court disagreed, however, saying "in the absence of any evidence tending to show that possession or use of a 'shotgun having a barrel of less than eighteen inches in length' at this time has some reasonable relationship to the preservation or efficiency of a well regulated militia, we cannot say that the Second Amendment guarantees the right to keep and bear such an instrument."  This was a 1939 ruling. (livescience.com)
In 2008, the Supreme Court did affirm absolute gun ownership outside of militias. 
I think we agree there is a problem, that some of your suggestions should be looked at. However, since many Americans are paranoid about their own government, it's hard to be optimistic.