Maroc - RAWSTORY.COM - Raw Story - 03/Aug 01:13

'Please go the right path': Attempted Reagan assassin 'speaks out' on political violence

The man who spent more than three decades in a psychiatric hospital for trying to assassinate then-President Ronald Reagan in 1981 appeared Friday on CNN to speak out against political violence and call for "peace and love." John Hinckley Jr. appeared on "OutFront" with Erin Burnett to address the American public, and tell people to "please try and reject violence and bring peace and love into their life." "I feel the need to speak out because this country is just in a really bad place," he said. "There's just so much violence. So many guns. And it's just really a fraught time right now in America."When asked who he's trying to reach with his message, Hinkley said he wants to target anyone and everyone out there "going through hard times."Read also: John Hinckley, Jr. has had 'Redemption Tour' concerts canceled by 3 music venues"Back in 1981, I was going through really hard times. Of course, I wish things had turned out differently, but if I can reach people who are struggling in their lives, and maybe looking for the right way to go, I'm just here to tell you to please go the right path and reject violence and just try to love your neighbor and love yourself."Hinckley shot Reagan outside the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C., wounding him and three others. He said he was trying to impress actress Jodie Foster.Hinckley was found not guilty by reason of insanity and spent 34 years in a psychiatric hospital. When asked about his reaction to the news of an attempt on former President Donald Trump's life, Hinckley said he felt a "sense of sadness" that it happened again. "Overall I felt just a sense of sadness," he said. Watch the clip below or at this link.