ABC: Who Better Than Attempted Reagan Assassin to Tout Gun Control?

The attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan is the perfect person to discuss gun control. That’s apparently the thinking of ABC’s Nightline. A little over one week later, CBS and ABC spent 13 minutes 41 seconds interviewing John Hinckley Jr. about the shooting of the President in 1981. He also injured three others. 

However, it worked! Nightline’s journalists that seemed the most excited to promote the newly released mental patient’s thoughts on gun control. Byron Pitts opened Tuesday’s Nightline by hyping, “John Hinckley Jr. One of the most notorious criminals in American history is free and says he’s a changed man.” He added, “What he is saying about mental illness, gun control.” 

Interviewer Juju Chang endorsed Hinkley’s thoughts on gun control, saying, “Coming from you, that’s quite a statement.” 

JUJU CHANG: Gun control has changed in America because of Hinckley’s 1981 crimes. The Brady Act was passed in 1993 by James Brady and Sarah Brady. The Brady law also introduced background checks and a waiting period. 

HINCKLEY:  Right. 

CHANG: Particularly for people suffering from mental illness. 

HINCKLEY That’s pretty obvious. Background checks are a good idea. Good waiting periods. America has too many guns, according to me. 

CHANG 

The attempted assassination was covered by ABC for six minutes and 56 second. On June 28, CBS MorningsHinckley was hyped for six more minutes and 45 seconds. While the journalists on CBS didn’t mention gun control, they were all very impressed about the scoop: 

NATE BURLESON, a name we’ve known for many decades is not his voice. John Hinckley Jr. He was the man who tried to assassinate President Reagan. This man talks about 1981 and why he claims he’s different now. 

GAYLE KING: And when you said that, Nate, I thought, “I’ve never heard his voice.” 

TONY DOKOUPIL: That’s such a good point. 

KING: I’ve never heard his voice. 

DOKOUPIL: His face is known to us. We also know his name. 

KING: Yes. 

DOKOUPIL: Never heard him speak. Until today. 

CBS’s interview featured several bland, not-exactly-probing questions from Major Garrett: “Do you have any recollection of that feeling at that moment?…Mostly, that is something you can’t remember…..Because you don’t want to remember it.” 

Tums sponsored ABC’s attempt to assassinate a man in order to promote gun control. Chevrolet sponsored CBS in promotion Hinckley. You can click on these links to tell them what you think. 

Nightline
7/5/2022
12:35

Tease

BYRON PITTS: John Hinckley Jr. John Hinckley Jr. is free. The most notorious American criminal of all time says that he’s changed and that he no longer has any guilt. The gunman who shot President Ronald Reagan in the head by shooting him with a pistol is acquitted because he was incapable of thinking for himself. 

JUJU CHANG – Can you see why others would view you as a threat to society? 

JOHN LINCKLEY: It’s not right now. 

PITTS: What he has to say about gun control and mental illness. 

HINCKLEY : It seems like there are too many guns in America. 

CHANG

6 minutes and 56 second 

CHANG: Hinckley would be one of America’s most notorious criminals. A bullet puncturing President Reagan’s lung. 

…

CHANG was diagnosed with five serious mental disorders. He also had severe defects in perception, reality testing, insight and judgement, which made him a dangerous and unpredictable individual. Are you worried about relapsing? 

…

CHANG. Hinckley’s 1981 gun-control crimes changed America. The Brady Act was passed in 1993 by James Brady and Sarah Brady. The Brady law also introduced background checks and a waiting period. 

HINCKLEY:  Right. 

CHANG: Particularly for people suffering from mental illness. 

HINCKLEY That’s pretty obvious. Background checks are a good idea. Good waiting periods. America has too many guns, according to me. 

CHANG 

DANNY SPRIGGS – Secret Service agent since 1981 : I believe rehabilitation is possible for those who are convicted of certain crimes. We had two people who sustained severe injuries and were permanently handicapped. Although he is entitled to freedom, I don’t think he has earned it.