On March 30, 1981, just 69 days into his presidency, Ronald Reagan was shot and nearly killed outside the Washington Hilton Hotel. The would-be assassin, John W. Hinckley Jr., fired six shots in rapid succession, striking Reagan and three others. Reagan survived after emergency surgery, but the attempt shocked the nation and became one of the most high-profile assassination attempts in American history—one that would change Secret Service procedures, mental health law, and the nation’s view of presidential vulnerability.
Political and Social Context
Ronald Reagan had recently taken office after a sweeping victory over Jimmy Carter in the 1980 election. His presidency promised a conservative revolution—marked by economic deregulation, tax cuts, and a tougher stance against the Soviet Union. Public enthusiasm for Reagan’s optimistic style and strong leadership was high.
But the country remained politically divided. The U.S. was still recovering from the Iran hostage crisis, the energy crisis, and economic malaise. International tensions simmered, and the memory of the 1960s’ political violence—including the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr.—remained fresh.
Despite Reagan’s robust personal popularity, the risk of political violence against high-profile leaders had never disappeared.
The Plot
John W. Hinckley Jr. was a 25-year-old drifter with a privileged background and severe psychiatric problems. Obsessed with the 1976 film Taxi Driver, Hinckley fixated on actress Jodie Foster, who played a young prostitute in the film. After stalking Foster during her time at Yale University, he developed the delusional belief that assassinating the president would impress her.
Hinckley had previously attempted to get close to both President Jimmy Carter and then-candidate Ronald Reagan. In the weeks before the shooting, he traveled to Washington, D.C., purchased a Röhm .22 caliber revolver, and mapped out Reagan’s public appearances. His motivation was not political, but pathological—driven by an irrational and dangerous fantasy.
Timeline
March 30, 1981, ~1:45 p.m.: Reagan exits the Washington Hilton Hotel after speaking to the AFL-CIO at a scheduled labor meeting.
As he approaches his limousine: John Hinckley, standing behind a rope line in the crowd, pulls out a pistol and fires six shots in under two seconds.
The bullets strike:
- White House Press Secretary James Brady in the head (severely wounded),
- Secret Service agent Tim McCarthy in the abdomen,
- D.C. police officer Thomas Delahanty in the neck,
- And Reagan—indirectly. A bullet ricochets off the presidential limousine and lodges in his left lung.
Reagan is rushed to George Washington University Hospital. He walks in under his own power but collapses shortly after.
Emergency surgery is performed. Reagan survives.
The Assassination Attempt
Hinckley had positioned himself among a group of journalists and onlookers outside the hotel. When Reagan stepped out of the building, Hinckley drew his revolver and began firing rapidly. The first bullet struck James Brady, who immediately collapsed. The next few rounds struck McCarthy and Delahanty as they tried to shield the president.
The final shot ricocheted off the side of the limousine and hit Reagan under the left arm, puncturing a lung and narrowly missing his heart. At first, no one realized Reagan had been hit. He was shoved into the car and began coughing up blood en route to the hospital.
Doctors later said he was “within minutes” of death due to internal bleeding. A 105-minute surgery saved his life. Reagan famously quipped to his surgeons, “I hope you’re all Republicans,” showcasing his characteristic wit even in crisis.
Immediate Aftermath
News of the shooting spread rapidly. For several tense hours, the nation did not know whether the president would survive. Vice President George H.W. Bush was notified and prepared to assume power, but Reagan’s surgery was successful, and he began recovering quickly.
James Brady was left permanently disabled. The bullet passed through his brain, resulting in lifelong paralysis and cognitive impairment. McCarthy and Delahanty also survived but required lengthy recoveries.
Reagan’s calm demeanor and quick return to work enhanced his image as a strong and resilient leader. Public approval for the president surged in the weeks following the attack.
Investigation and Arrests
Hinckley was arrested on the scene without incident. Police recovered the revolver and six spent cartridges. In questioning, Hinckley admitted his motivations were rooted in his obsession with Jodie Foster. He had no political motive, no co-conspirators, and no affiliations with extremist groups.
The FBI and Secret Service launched a comprehensive investigation, reviewing Hinckley’s travel, purchases, and correspondence. They confirmed he had previously stalked Carter and had written threatening letters. His family had tried to get him psychiatric help for years with limited success.
Trial and Legal Proceedings
John Hinckley Jr. was charged with 13 offenses, including attempted assassination of the president. His defense attorneys pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, citing his long history of schizophrenia, depression, and delusional thinking.
In June 1982, after a highly publicized trial, Hinckley was found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed to St. Elizabeths Hospital in Washington, D.C. The verdict sparked national outrage and led to significant reforms in federal and state insanity defense laws, including stricter burdens of proof and the use of “guilty but mentally ill” verdicts in many states.
Hinckley remained confined for decades. In 2016, he was released from the hospital under court-supervised conditions. In 2022, he was granted unconditional release.
Punishments and Legacy of the Conspirator
Hinckley never served time in prison, but he spent over 35 years in psychiatric confinement. His case became a symbol of the limitations of the mental health and legal systems. The verdict was widely criticized, though psychiatrists maintained that Hinckley met the legal standard for insanity.
Hinckley’s name became shorthand for the “lone mentally ill gunman” archetype. His writings, medical records, and statements became case studies in threat assessment and presidential protection programs.
James Brady, despite his injuries, became a powerful advocate for gun control. Along with his wife Sarah, he led efforts that culminated in the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act of 1993, which mandated federal background checks for firearm purchases.
Long-Term Impact on the Nation
The attempt on Reagan’s life had profound and lasting effects. The Secret Service overhauled its protection protocols, including changes to event security, motorcade procedures, and crowd control. The agency invested heavily in threat assessment programs and began monitoring individuals with known mental health issues more closely.
Legally, the trial reshaped the insanity defense and brought mental health issues into sharper public focus. Politically, Reagan emerged stronger, with a renewed sense of purpose and broad bipartisan sympathy.
James Brady’s transformation into a national advocate for gun control had a ripple effect on legislation, helping shift the public conversation about firearm access and mental illness.
Controversies and Conspiracy Theories
Despite the overwhelming evidence of Hinckley’s mental illness and solitary planning, conspiracy theories emerged—some alleging links to the Bush family (Hinckley’s father knew the Bushes socially), or suggesting deeper plots within the government. None were supported by credible evidence.
Others questioned whether Hinckley had been adequately monitored by law enforcement, given his history of stalking politicians. Still, the consensus remains that this was a classic “lone wolf” attack by a mentally ill individual whose warning signs had gone largely unheeded.
Primary Source Appendix
- Secret Service and FBI incident reports and investigations (March–April 1981)
- Court transcripts and psychiatric testimony from United States v. Hinckley (1982)
- Reagan’s medical records and public statements from George Washington University Hospital
- Eyewitness accounts from reporters and security personnel
- Press coverage from The Washington Post, The New York Times, and Time Magazine (March–June 1981)
- James Brady’s public statements and documentation related to the Brady Campaign
- Federal legislative history of the Brady Bill and insanity defense reform laws