Changes

On 30 March 1981, he fired six times at the President, who was leaving the [[Washington D.C.]] Hilton Hotel.  Reagan suffered a serious chest wound.  Also shot were Press Secretary [[James Brady]], a police officer, and a [[United States Secret Service|Secret Service]] agent.  All of them survived.  After his recovery, Reagan's popularity increased.

On 30 March 1981, he fired six times at the President, who was leaving the [[Washington D.C.]] Hilton Hotel.  Reagan suffered a serious chest wound.  Also shot were Press Secretary [[James Brady]], a police officer, and a [[United States Secret Service|Secret Service]] agent.  All of them survived.  After his recovery, Reagan's popularity increased.

Hinckley purchased the gun outside the District of Columbia, which has some of the most restrictive [[gun control]] ordinances in the nation.

Hinckley purchased the gun outside the District of Columbia, which has some of the most restrictive [[gun control]] ordinances in the nation, including keeping this lawful self defense away from most of its citizens as well as against allowing civilians even non lethal sprays in the District.

Hinckley was tried in 1982, and found not guilty by reason of insanity.  He was held in St. Elizabeth's Hospital, but was released in 2016 to live with his very elderly mother in Williamsburg, Virginia, much to many people's opposition, including those in Williamsburg.{{fact}}

Hinckley was tried in 1982, and found not guilty by reason of insanity.  He was committed to St. Elizabeth's Hospital, but was released in 2016 to live with his very elderly widowed mother in Williamsburg, Virginia, much to many people's opposition, including many of Williamsburg's residents.{{fact}}

The Democrat-controlled [[House of Representatives]] and [[gun control]] [[activist]]s used the incident to press for new [[federal]] legislation.  The variance of state and local laws, and lack of information sharing that allowed a man with a history of mental illness to purchase a gun, became the pretext for [[regulating]] purchasers and sellers of guns, many who were also [[NRA]] members and enthusiastically supported President Reagan in 1980. Sarah and Jim Brady were invited to testify.  President Reagan although almost assassinated never pushed for gun control and continued to support gun rights.

The Democrat-controlled [[House of Representatives]] and [[gun control]] [[activist]]s used the incident to press for new [[federal]] legislation.  The variance of state and local laws, and lack of information sharing that allowed a man with a history of mental illness to purchase a gun, became the pretext for regulating purchasers and sellers of guns, many who were also [[NRA]] members and enthusiastically supported President Reagan in 1980. Sarah and Jim Brady were invited to testify.  President Reagan although almost assassinated never pushed for gun control and continued to support gun rights.

Timothy McCarty, the secret service agent shot by Hinkley, campaigned against the availability of cheap handguns available to  criminals. President [[Bill Clinton]] signed the [[Brady Bill]] into law. The bill included a federal mandatory waiting period before purchasing a handgun.<ref>[http://www.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs/usr/wbardwel/public/nfalist/brady_act.txt Text of the Brady Bill]</ref>

Timothy McCarty, the secret service agent shot by Hinkley, campaigned against the availability of cheap handguns available to  criminals. President [[Bill Clinton]] signed the [[Brady Bill]] into law. The bill included a federal mandatory waiting period before purchasing a handgun.<ref>[http://www.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs/usr/wbardwel/public/nfalist/brady_act.txt Text of the Brady Bill]</ref>