“As gun owners, we owe the NRA a lot”.
When one looks at the sheer mass of bad federal gun law, and realizes that the NRA has been around for every single one of the infringements, what is left to be said?
A fence sitting entity trying to masquerade as a gun rights organization we need like another hole in the head.
If you want "compromise" with the anti-gunners then the NRA is the way to go. For years they never found a gun control law that they couldn't live with as long as they appeared to oppose some aspects. However, the right to keep and bear arms isn't suitable for compromise - either you have the right or you don't. If you have to pass a background check, one of the famous NRA compromises, (ie get the government's permission) then you no longer have the right. You don't need permission to exercise a right. If you have to ask permission, then it's a privilege, not a right.