"I suspect a lot of people flagged it."

I don't doubt that in the least.  The gun enthusiasts normally flock to the defense of their point of view in these forums.  Unfortunately, most of the moderate folks who favor reasonable gun controls are absent and just getting on with their lives.

Nonetheless, I would expect the moderators to exercise some judgment.  This is not supposed to be a popularity contest where civil opposing views can be voted out of existence.