[Ohioan]

I believe so, but with special ammo that probably totally wiped out Brady's capacity to actually reason, after receiving the head shot. (Perhaps apt, in the context of a Hollywood type hyping the later misuse of Brady's body by his wife, it was Hinkley's form of a love statement over his obsession for Jodie Foster.)

If you want to rationally analyze the whole incident, it was probably merciful for all present that the mental case, making the "love statement" had access to a handgun, rather than hurl a "molotov cocktail" or the equivalent at the President. But, of course, there is nothing remotely rational about the argument for making hand guns unavailable to law abiding citizens. The "arguments" are directed at fawning irrational fear, and Mrs. Brady used Jim like Edgar Bergen used Charley McCarthy in the 1940s, as part of a prepared act. But Bergen's only motive was to entertain. Mrs. Brady's is really not that clear.

[Bigg Red]

Well said.