"We are writing to urge your support for a ban on the domestic manufacture of military-style assault weapons. This is a matter of vital importance to the public safety... While we recognize that assault weapon legislation will not stop all assault weapon crime, statistics prove that we can dry up the supply of these guns, making them less accessible to criminals. We urge you to listen to the American public and to the law enforcement community and support a ban on the further manufacture of these weapons." Ronald Reagan, Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter in a letter to the House of Representatives regarding passage of the assault weapons ban
Most of today's NRA-owned conservatives would consider this to be just another screed from a few pansy-ass liberals.
Adding... Here's Reagan's 1991 op/ed in support of the Brady Bill.