A clarification ... I use the candidate's stand on gun rights as a litmus test for the calibration of the candidate’s views on all the issues of individual rights. Since Liberals react to gun rights like vampires to sunlight, it goes to the core of the distinction between individual vs the collective argument, and outs them with one answer. Over the years, its as near 100% accurate Liberal detector as can be found.
Bush registers much less than true Conservative, and look what that has brought. During the candidate selection phase there is no need to compromise.
Reagan wouldn't pass your litmus test. He had the same position as Romney.