Reagan assassination attempt
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The Reagan assassination attempt occurred on March 30, 1981, just 69 days into the United States Presidency of Ronald W. Reagan. While leaving the Hilton Hotel in Washington, DC, President Reagan, Press Secretary James Brady, Secret Service agent Timothy McCarthy and District of Columbia police officer Thomas Delanty were shot by John Hinckley, Jr..
Reagan was whisked by the Secret Service agents in the presidential limousine to nearby George Washington University Hospital, where an emergency surgery was performed. He subequently recovered, and was able to continue his presidential duties.
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"Honey, I forgot to duck"
Shortly before surgery to remove the bullet, which barely missed his heart, he remarked to his surgeons, "I hope you're all Republicans." [1] To his wife Nancy he jokingly commented, "Honey, I forgot to duck." Apparently he was quoting a remark made by boxer Jack Dempsey in 1926 explaining his loss of his heavyweight championship. After Dempsey lost to Gene Tunney, his wife Estelle Taylor asked him "What happened?" His reply was "Honey, I forgot to duck." A former actor-turned politician, Reagan often quoted such witticisms.
James Brady
The attack seriously wounded Press Secretary Brady, who sustained a very serious head wound and became permanently disabled. Brady remained as Press Secretary for the remainder of Reagan's administrations, but this was primarily a titular role.
Brady and his wife, Sarah, became leading advocates of gun control and other actions to reduce the amount of gun violence in the United States. They later became active in the lobbying organization that would eventually be renamed the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, and they founded the not-for-profit Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence.
Hinckley's insanity defense
Hinckley was found not guilty by reason of insanity on June 21. The defense psychiatric reports had found him to be insane while the prosecution reports declared him legally sane. Hinckley was confined at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in WWWashington, D.C., where he was still held as of May, 2005.
Reaction to "not guilty by reason of insanity" verdict
The not guilty verdict led to widespread dismay and as a result, the U.S. Congress, and a number of states, re-wrote the law regarding the insanity defense. Three states have abolished the defense altogether. In the United States prior to the Hinckley case, the insanity defense was used in less than 2% of capital cases and was unsuccessful in almost 80% of the trials.