An 'incredible revelation': Reagan carried a gun after attempted assassination, author says

close

Video

Reagan reportedly carried gun after assassination attempt

Author Brad Meltzer cites in new book

After the 1981 assassination attempt on his life, former President Ronald Reagan reportedly began carrying a gun almost everywhere he went, bestselling thriller author Brad Meltzer told MyFoxNY Monday.

Meltzer, who discovered the reported gun's existence for himself after speaking with a Secret Service employee at the agency’s museum, called it an “incredible revelation.”

Reagan reportedly carried the gun in his briefcase and would even take it on Air Force One, Meltzer said.

“I trust these [Secret Service] people around me, but if someone comes at me again, I want to be prepared,” Reagan reportedly said in explaining the action, according to Meltzer.

Meltzer said he immediately contacted former President George H.W. Bush, Reagan’s vice president, to confirm whether the story was true.

“Tell me more about that,” Bush replied, who apparently did not know about the gun, according to Meltzer.

Read more at MyFoxNY.com.