(Chris Parker, Headline USA) John Hinckley Jr., has gone from would-be presidential assassin to ABC’s authority on gun violence.
The network’s ill-conceived interview with Hinckley initially focused on his release from 41 years of federal medical supervision after attempting to assassinate then-president Ronald Reagan. He told journalist Juju Chang that “he’s a changed man and that he’d like society to acknowledge that.”
However, Chang shifted the topic to gun control laws and Hinckley’s opinion of them. He replied, “the climate of the country right now is not good and it’s not good to have so many guns.”
He also praised President Biden’s recent gun control legislation, crowing that “Background checks are good and waiting periods are good.” Chang then reminded the audience of the fact that there were no background checks when Hinckley used a fake ID to buy his gun.
ABC was heavily criticized for airing the interview one day after the Highland Park shootings in Chicago, and for the absolute absurdity of turning to opinion from Hinckley for anything even remotely related to gun violence or gun control, reported Twitchy.
“ABC ‘News’ gives man who tried to murder Reagan a platform to spout off on gun control,” Judicial Watch president Tim Fitton tweeted.
This isn’t photoshopped. ABC News actually used a guy who tried to murder a president to push gun control. pic.twitter.com/zGc47hIklf
— Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) July 6, 2022
Chang also praised the failed assassin for his efforts in passing stricter gun control laws.
“Hinckley’s crime back in 1981 changed gun control in the US,” she said. “The Brady Law ushered in a waiting period and background checks. Especially with regard to people with mental illness.”
Hinckley also complained about his conditions after being apprehended.
“I was the most scrutinized mental patient in America,” he said. “Even my judge said that.”
Now he’s apparently the go-to expert on gun control for mainstream media.
