And... the NRA, and Wayne LaPierre, are not the top of the ladder. The gun manufacturers and importers, who wish to remain as invisible as possible, drive the agenda.
The gun manufacturers have a problem: unlike someone who sells soap or beans, their products don't wear out, and don't 'need' replenishing often. They depend on new customers and multiple sales to former customers. The very idea of restrictions like background checks and limits on type and capacity of weapons scares them.... it simply means far fewer sales!

Right now they are making money hand-over-fist as those who desire guns are stocking up....just in case.