Would banning handguns and automatic weapons be effective? how?

Not really, due to the fact that if a criminal wants to commit a crime, and the govenment is taking measures to stop him from commiting that crime, regardless he will still find a way to commit the crime.

No bc if we ban handguns people will still find a way to get them. it's like drugs, they're illegal, yet people are still able to work around the system and get them anyway.