Remembering Reagan assassination attempt . James Brady was seriously wounded in the assassination 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 owners . He wrote an ad for gun - control activist Gabby Giffords , also wounded in a shooting .
James Brady was seriously wounded in the assassination 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 owners . He wrote an ad for gun - control activist Gabby Giffords , also wounded in a shooting .