There was news out of Virginia last week that John Hinckley Jr., who tried to kill President Ronald Reagan in 1981, will be allowed to move out of his mother’s house and live on his own. Not only is it absurd that Hinckley is being granted this freedom, it is absurd that he is mixing with society at all.

Reagan only narrowly avoided being killed by one of the bullets fired by Hinckley. Three other men also were shot. These included a police officer, a Secret Service agent and the president’s press secretary. And then there was the trauma inflicted upon the national government at the time, as well as the American people. The kind of devastation caused by Hinckley demands punishment. Lifelong punishment.

Hinckley ended up in a mental institution after the assassination attempt. He had been suffering from acute psychosis and major depression, it was reported. Jurors found him not guilty by reason of insanity. His doctors say Hinckley is better now, but still has a narcissistic personality disorder.

To keep him in check, Hinckley is supposed to meet regularly with a social worker, and he cannot own a gun or consume alcohol. He also cannot travel to places where there are former or current presidents, vice presidents or members of Congress. He must carry a GPS-enabled cell phone. But all of this is akin to posting a big sign at a school that says “No Guns Allowed.” If crazy is coming, it’s coming. Which is why it should be behind bars.

— Ogden Newspapers