Hinckley shot Reagan as part of an attempt to impress actress Jodi Foster, and successfully plead insanity during his trial, resulting in many states and Congress implementing stricter rules on the use of the defense soon after.
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Ronald Reagan is the only President to survive having been shot.
Reagan suffered a punctured lung but recovered quickly.
In addition to the president, also wounded were Press Secretary James Brady, police officer Thomas Delahanty and Secret Service agent Timothy McCarthy.
Prior to the Hinckley case, the insanity defense had been used in less than 2% of all felony cases and was unsuccessful in nearly 75% of those trials.
Hinckley will still be under court supervision and be required to continue psychiatric treatment, get a job or volunteer, and steer clear of government officials. Brady sustained brain damage in the incident and died in 2014.
A special court order allows him to drive within 30 miles of Williamsburg alone, or 50 miles, accompanied by a relative or social worker.
Hinckley fired a gun at President Reagan’s entourage as he left the Washington Hilton on March 30, 1981.
He was sent to St Elizabeth’s psychiatric hospital in the Southeastern corner of Washington where he would remain for 35 years as a patient, and a subject of public fascination.
Hinckley’s lawyer Barry Levine was not immediately available for comment when contacted by AFP.
“Saint Elizabeths Hospital says he no longer presents a danger to himself or others”.
Mr Reagan publicly forgave Mr Hinckley and even sought a meeting with his would-be assassin, but was advised by doctors that such an encounter would hinder the gunman’s recovery.
Many political commentators from Sean Hannity to Bill O’Reilly were infuriated by the news of Hinckley’s imminent release.
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Hinckley has slowly gained some freedoms since he was incarcerated. Now people must wait and see if John Hinckley Jr truly no longer poses a threat to Jodi Foster, a President or anyone else.
