Two+Assassination+Attempts+on+President+Ford

=FORD SAFE AS GUARD SEIZES A GUN WOMAN POINTED AT HIM ON COAST=

Overview [[image:ford1.jpg width="149" height="110" align="right" caption="The first assassination attempt" link="http://blog.mlive.com/grpress/news_impact/2009/08/large_squeaky-453.jpg"]]
President Gerald Ford came close to death two times during his presidency. He was the 38th President because of Richard Nixon’s resignation, the Watergate scandal. The first attack occurred on September 5, 1975. During the late morning, roughly 10a.m., Gerald Ford was walking toward the Senate Hotel. He was there to lecture the California Senators on increasing violent crime. As he neared the building, 150 yards away, President Ford was nearly killed. The President recalled, “I saw a hand coming up behind several others in the front row, and obviously there was a gun in that hand.” Mr. Ford came within two feet of this gun, until it was apprehended by a Secret Service agent. Mr. Buendorf was able to obtain the .45-caliber semi automatic pistol before it struck the President. Later, the gun’s chamber was found to be empty. The Sacramento woman responsible was Alice Fromme. Her motive was found to be in association with Charles Manson.

Critical Issue
The second attempt occurred on September 22, 1975. At this time, the President had begun taking more precautions while in public. The New York Times reported, “…he did not plunge into the crowd to shake hands; he just waved and headed for his car a few feet away. Large numbers of uniformed policemen kept people back with the help of barriers. There were plainclothesmen in and watching the crowd, and Secret Service agents surrounded the President.” Yet, when he left the St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco another gunman took aim at Gerald Ford. This time, a shot was actually fired. President Ford once again though, escaped an assassination. He would remain the President during a chaotic period in American history.

Conclusion/Historical Significance
The attempts spread throughout the public; it created a tense environment. They had recognized the attacks, and the media’s interpretation of them. The situation had a psychological effect on the citizens of the United States. In the coming months, the Gerald Ford was monitored heavily. His activities were restricted, and he was encouraged to refrain from public appearances. The lastly impact of President Ford’s two assassination attempts included that of stronger gun control standards. America began to make its way into an era more forcefully regulated.