On March 30, 1981, John Hinckley Jr. shot President Ronald Reagan outside the Washington Hilton Hotel. Reagan was seriously wounded, along with his press secretary James Brady and two others. Secret Service agents quickly subdued Hinckley and rushed Reagan to a hospital. The president recovered after surgery and returned to work within weeks, boosting his public image. The incident prompted changes in security practices for presidents and other officials. It also contributed to later debates on gun control and mental health.
