“The passing of James Brady is a tragic loss, but his legacy lives on in the invaluable work he has done as an advocate for gun control. After suffering a terrible physical and emotional wound in the 1981 assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan, Brady launched the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. He and his wife, Sarah, played an essential role in the landmark change in the law requiring background checks and a 5-day waiting period which revolutionized gun policy in our country and no doubt saved countless lives.

“James Brady had a profound influence on my own advocacy for responsible gun ownership. As a member of the Assembly, it has been a top priority to curb gun violence. That’s why I supported measures like the SAFE Act in order to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and the mentally ill. In reflecting on the strides Brady made in preventing gun violence, we must continue to move forward and push for safe gun ownership. It is sad that it has taken so many needless tragedies to move us in this direction.”