Though at first glance a local gun rights group might seem insulated from the compromising strategies of the NRA, that is often not the case, especially when viewing the actions of state affiliates of the NRA.
Usually named “State Shooting Association” or “Rifle and Pistol Association” (their masters at the NRA frown upon them using names like California Rifle Association), these local versions of the NRA are often more weak-willed than their parent organization.
Understand that many people have little choice but to join these organizations. If you want to compete in the Civilian Marksmanship Program, many states give you no other choice but to join a State Shooting Association.
But why, you might ask, would a group dedicated to shooting be so willing to compromise away the very rights that protect them?
Shooting organizations are usually made up of myriad interests: black powder, high power rifle, cowboy action, defensive handgun, trap and sporting clay, etc, etc. Often, these groups see their gun rights in the context of only their favorite style of shooting, and are willing to concede on all other forms, especially the more politically incorrect styles.
Jokes are often made about how shotgun shooters and deer hunters don’t much like machine gun shooters or “assault rifle” enthusiasts (witness the Zumbo debacle), but there is quite a bit of truth to that characterization: many, many hunters simply don’t care what Congress bans, as long as they don’t ban hunting or hunting firearms. Those “shooters” will simply be the last firearm on the ban list, but it’s only a matter of time.
The NRA also runs a shell game: their lobbyists would much rather the local affiliate take the heat for a deal with politicians, even though it is usually the NRA that controls the deal.