James Brady, the face of the modern gun control movement, passed away on August 4th, 2014 at the age of 73. Brady served as President Ronald Reagan's press secretary from 1981 until Reagan left office in 1989. In 1981, Brady was shot and permanently disabled in the attempted assassination of Reagan. While in the hospital for his gunshot wounds, a grassroots effort began to pass stronger gun control laws, and this initiative became known as the "Brady Bill" after James Brady. This bill passed in 1993, creating the first national system for background checks on firearm purchasers. Throughout his career, James Brady was instrumental in bringing the issue of gun control to the national stage. He was an advocate for improved gun control laws and was a strong voice for the victims and their families affected by gun violence in the United States. A leader in the gun control movement, Brady was remembered in a White House statement given the day after his passing. “Jim is a legend at the White House for his warmth and professionalism as press secretary…We were fortunate to have him on the team." He is survived by his wife, Sarah Brady, his son Scott, and daughter Melissa.