Попытка вызова функции

const attempt = (fn, …args) => {
  try {
    return fn(…args);
  } catch (e) {
    return e instanceof Error ? e : new Error(e);
  }
};

var elements = attempt(function(selector) {
  return document.querySelectorAll(selector);
}, '>_>');
if (elements instanceof Error) elements = []; // elements = []