Gun owners of america is a better organization if memory serves me right.
The NRA will support a flaming lib if they come out in support of gun rights.
Also, the NRA will not help in any a) state-level case even where b) the laws in question directly contradict the State Constitution.
That is, they don't even go for shoe-in, guaranteed victories.
My theory is that they've set themselves up as the "premiere gun lobby" and fear to be effective, as such would decrease the need to lobby and therefore the organization's own power/influence.