This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Jim Brady responded to personal tragedy by becoming a tenacious advocate for common-sense gun laws to prevent dangerous people from having easy access to guns.
Jim and his wife, Sarah, worked tirelessly to pass the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, a law directly responsible for saving a countless number of lives. More than two million gun sales to criminals, domestic abusers and other dangerous people have been blocked because of their work.
Jim knew more should be done to prevent bad guys from getting guns. He and Sarah kept up the fight to get Congress to expand background checks to cover all gun sales, including Internet and gun shows sales, but Jim died before that vision became a reality.
Jim inspired millions with his strength, perseverance, and vision of a safer America. There might not be another Jim Brady, but we have an opportunity to join together — the millions of Americans who share Jim's vision — and honor him by turning that vision into reality.
Bruce Chapman
Bountiful