@ MacPointMan,
Get your zen on.
While the crazy is still in full swing in my town also, you can still find nearly any rifle you'd want, include Colts and Spike's Tactical, etc. The thing is, they're all selling for $2,500 or more. They are consignment rifles from guys who own 3 or 4 or more, and who are trying to get another thousand or so over what they have in the rifle.
My gut is that Congress won't pass the AWB, and that it won't be something that the Imperial Presidency pushes because there are too many other pending crises - from the Spending Cap, to Immigration, to US hostages in Algeria, to Mali, to the Eurozone that will require SOME modicum of Congressional activity to deal with.
By the time you get home, you may be able to find something that will work for you despite how dark things seem just now. Hang in there.
Be safe and watch your six.