The reason the NRA has been so effective is because they understand the old truism "give them an inch and they'll take a mile."
It's funny how much perspective changes things. Many gun owners have left the NRA over the past few years, in favor of Gun Owners of America or other organizations, exactly because the NRA is seen as overly willing to compromise on gun rights. I personally am a card carrying member of the GOA, Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership and the Second Amendment Foundation, but not the NRA for this very reason.
That said, they probably are more "hard line" than lobbying orgs for other groups, and I won't argue against the essence of your point.
It's funny how much perspective changes things. Many gun owners have left the NRA over the past few years, in favor of Gun Owners of America or other organizations, exactly because the NRA is seen as overly willing to compromise on gun rights. I personally am a card carrying member of the GOA, Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership and the Second Amendment Foundation, but not the NRA for this very reason.
That said, they probably are more "hard line" than lobbying orgs for other groups, and I won't argue against the essence of your point.