Funny how folks seem to have figure out how the NRA works.
News Flash - It have a Board of Directors, many of whom have no active connections to the firearms industry outside of the NRA, or have active gripes within it.
Secondly, the NRA-ILA is the people's end of the NRA, that is the end that helps push through CCW reforms, helps citizens fight for reform of certain firearms laws, etc...... It also sets up hunters eduction classes, regular firearms safety classes, provides legal counseling, etc.....
There is also an active arm of the NRA for conservation of Wetlands, public game areas, etc.... That is this end -
http://www.nrahunterrights.org/Default.aspx .
Also they have a presence at antique arms collectors shows, etc..... that have no connection to to the modern arms industry. They are not just an industry mouthpiece, all though the industry does have their ear sometimes.
It's a symbiotic relationship between the the industry, regular gun owners, and the NRA brass, it may not be perfect, but it works.