James Brady, former Reagan press secretary, gun-control advocate, dies

WASHINGTON -- James Brady, former press secretary to Ronald Reagan who was severely wounded in a 1981 assassination attempt on the President, has died, the White House said on Monday.

He was 73.

Following the shooting of Reagan in Washington that left Brady partially paralyzed and in a wheelchair, he became one of the nation's most prominent gun-control advocates.

Reagan's first press secretary, Brady was one of four people hurt when John Hinckley opened fire on Reagan as he left a hotel.

After leaving the White House, Brady launched the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, which pushes for stricter firearms laws.

He inspired the so-called Brady Bill, which was a fiercely fought over measure that requires background checks for gun purchases.

From Getty Images