First thought: I AM the NRA! I am a member and I seriously consider the NRA politician rating system when I cast my vote. There are very few things I would risk my life for, my right to keep and bear arms is one of those things.
When I applied for my state "License to carry Concealed Pistol" I underwent a FBI background check including fingerprint regime. That should be good enough for those people that hate guns....right?
Last time I heard anything about it, three state LCCP holders have ever been charged with a firearms crime and only one of those was an actual shooting.