James Brady , a former White House press secretary who was severely wounded in the 1981 assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan and later became a prominent gun-control advocate , has died . Brady died at 73 after a series of health issues , his family said in a statement on Monday . `` Over the years , Jim inspired so many people as he turned adversity into accomplishment , '' the statement said . Brady was one of four people hurt in Reagan 's shooting by John Hinckley outside a Washington hotel . Suffering a head wound , it was erroneously reported at one point that Brady had died . He was , however , left partially paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life . Reagan , severely wounded as well , also survived the attack and served two terms as President . Hinckley was found not guilty by reason of insanity in the shooting and has spent the ensuing years in a psychiatric hospital . After leaving the White House , Brady launched the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence , which pushes for stricter firearms laws . He inspired the Brady Bill , which was fiercely fought over for years before Congress approved it and President Bill Clinton signed it into law in 1993 . It requires background checks for gun purchases . Opinion : The man who made people talk about guns . President Barack Obama praised Brady 's legacy . `` Jim is a legend at the White House for his warmth and professionalism as press secretary for President Reagan ; for the strength he brought to bear in recovering from the shooting that nearly killed him 33 years ago ; and for turning the events of that terrible afternoon into a remarkable legacy of service , '' Obama said in a statement . The Brady Campaign also acknowledged his death in a tweet : `` We are heartbroken over James Brady 's passing . We offer our deepest condolences to his wife , Sarah , and their family . '' Opinion : Congress , finish the job on Brady background checks . Brady was a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom , the highest civilian award . The White House press briefing room also was named in his honor . Marlin Fitzwater , Reagan 's longest-serving press secretary , remembered Brady as an enormous talent . `` He knew how information flowed in the city of Washington and he had a great sense of humor that the press liked and respected , '' Fitzwater told CNN . `` He is a remarkable guy who will be remembered well by everyone who knew him . '' Brady 's gun activism included lending a hand to other organizations with similar goals . He and his wife , Sarah , appeared in a 2011 ad for the group Americans for Responsible Solutions , an organization formed by former congresswoman Gabrielle Gifford 's and her husband , Mark Kelly , after she was shot and severely wounded at a campaign event in Arizona . Former first lady Nancy Reagan said Brady was a wise counselor whose judgment her husband trusted . `` Jim was the personification of courage and perseverance . He and Sarah never gave up , and never stopped caring about the causes in which they believed , '' she said in a statement . James Brady on gun control and mental illness . Remembering Reagan assassination attempt . Opinion : James Brady : The warrior , the hero , the 'Bear ' People we 've lost in 2014 .
James Brady was seriously wounded in the 1981 attempt on Ronald Reagan 's life . He became one of the most prominent gun-control advocates . Brady inspired a law named for him that requires background checks on gun purchases . Comment: