IMO, the NRA seems to have tilted to the left a bit with Charlton Heston at the helm, and since him, it’s become more of a political group interested in money more than 1st and 2nd amendment freedoms.
I am not as aware of details and history as you, dear friend, but it seems obvious to me now, that their next step is to fold bit-by-bit until their are no gun rights. The Constitution if First, and Gun Rights follow. You cannot compromise on Constitution, and expect to remain free. IMHO