My observation is that those who are currently at the helm of the NRA have determined that the UNLICENSED open carry movement threatens progress towards the enactment of "right to (concealed) carry " licensing laws, and "selling" universal reciprocity throughout the 50 states.
This is a respectable goal. The most pressing goal is to address the most agregious transgressions upon the right to keep & bear arms in certain jurisdictions, and the concealed carry reciprocity foot-dragging by many "right to carry" states.
The NRA has thus far opted out of an active role in the OC effort, paying occassional lip-service to the effort, but offering no tangible lobbying support. This posture may be politically pragmatic by not opening up an additional "front" requiring the diversion of its resources. It still suggest a certain timidity , and unwillingness to support the "front-line" right to actually BEAR ARMS troops (OC'ers) who are wondering ..."Where is the NRA?"
I think the open carry movement is still perceived by many politicians, their advisors, AND THE NRA as a sort of "third-rail" of the effort to restore respect for the right to bear arms. It is political expediency - pure and simple, and ironically publicly BEARS a naked ignorance regarding the historic, linguistic, and constitutional reality surrounding the right TO BEAR ARMS - that being the fact that TO BEAR ARMS is to DISPLAY ARMS- not keep them hidden under the clothing.
The BEAR one's soul, to BEAR news, to BEAR a child into this world, or TO BEAR ARMS each involves the necessity of a REVELATION.