Changes

On March 30, 1981, Reagan was shot near the heart after giving a routine speech.<ref> The assassin was John Hinckley, a mentally disturbed man who didn't shoot Reagan for political reasons, but instead did to impress an actress he had never met.</ref>  Surgeons at George Washington University Hospital saved his life and despite his age he recovered quickly. White House Press Secretary [[James Brady]] was shot in the head, became permanently disabled; Brady then became an icon of the anti-gun movement.  

On March 30, 1981, Reagan was shot near the heart after giving a routine speech.<ref> The assassin was John Hinckley, a mentally disturbed man who didn't shoot Reagan for political reasons, but instead did to impress an actress he had never met.</ref>  Surgeons at George Washington University Hospital saved his life and despite his age he recovered quickly. White House Press Secretary [[James Brady]] was shot in the head, became permanently disabled; Brady then became an icon of the anti-gun movement.  

The assassination attempt came at a critical moment and disarmed the opposition in Congress, enabling Reagan to pass his major legislation even though the Democrats controlled the House. Reagan's would-be murderer, John Hinckley Jr., was found not guilty by reason of insanity, causing an uproar within the conservative community, with many upstanding citizens calling into question Hinckley's use of the insanity plea.

The assassination attempt came at a critical moment and disarmed the opposition in Congress, enabling Reagan to pass his major legislation even though the Democrats controlled the House.

===1984 Reelection===

===1984 Reelection===