John Hinckley Jr. Given New Freedoms In Mental Hospital

John Hinckley Jr., the man who tried to kill US President Ronald Reagan, has been granted more freedoms while in custody at a mental hospital.

The ruling came despite objections from prosecutors who said that Hinckley is still mentally ill and that he "continues to maintain inappropriate thoughts of violence."

Hinckley is now allowed to visit his mother more often, obtain a driver's license and spend more time away from the mental hospital where he lives. The new freedoms came as doctors claim that Hinckley has made progress in therapy.

Since being found not guilty by reason of insanity in the 1981 shooting of Reagan, the 54-year-old Hinckley has been confined to St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Washington.

Hinckley shot Reagan and three others due to an obsession with actress Jodie Foster. One of Hinckley's victims, James Brady, inspired the Brady Bill, which requires a five-day waiting period and background check before people can purchase a handgun.