Contrary to popular opinion, the NRA never spent that much compared to a lot of other lobbying groups. I don't know if they're being outspent 20:1, but while NRA has spent a ton of money, that's not where the majority of the NRA's political power ever came from. It came, and continues to come from the members and the individuals who care deeply about this issue and are willing to put sweat equity into the cause. Bloomberg can buy ads and pay lobbyists 2x what the average NRA lobbyist makes (lobbyist salaries are often public information in many states), but when NRA members get an alert or a postcard, they respond. A free man defending his home will take down 10 paid mercenaries every time.