By Jan Wolfe

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A U.S. judge on Monday said he would grant “unconditional release” to John Hinckley, who wounded former U.S. President Ronald Reagan and three other people in a 1981 assassination attempt.

U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman declared that “I am going, after all these many years, to grant unconditional release to Monsieur Hinckley.”

Friedman permitted Hinckley to be released from a Washington psychiatric facility where he was living for 30 years, but placed travel restrictions and limitations on internet access.

Friedman stated Monday that he would lift the remaining restrictions. Friedman claimed that Hinckley’s mental problems have “remission” and that they no longer pose a threat to his health.

Friedman indicated that he would soon issue a written statement to commemorate his decision.

Kacie Weston, a federal prosecutor, stated that Hinckley’s unconditional release should have been approved by the U.S. Justice Department during the court hearing. Weston said that the U.S. Justice Department should continue monitoring Hinckley’s progress as he adjusts to life on his own after his mother’s death.

Reagan was punctured in his lung during the assassination attempt, but he recovered quickly.

White House press secretary James Brady and Secret Service agent Timothy McCarthy were also hurt. Thomas Delahanty was a Washington officer.

At a 1982 jury trial, Hinckley wasn’t found guilty of the charge because of insanity. The 1982 jury verdict inspired Congress and some U.S. state legislatures to create laws that limit the insanity defense.

This shooting was instrumental in the creation of modern gun control. Brady and Sarah were left with permanent disabilities, which led to the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.