Thread by @bradybuzz

6 years ago today, the world lost the incredible Jim Brady.

In 1981, Jim was shot in the head in the assassination attempt on Reagan. He spent the rest of his life fighting for stronger gun laws — winning his namesake Brady Bill.

THREAD. #EndGunViolence

When Jim Brady died 6 years ago today in 2014, his death was ruled a gun homicide from complications from the shooting. He had been paralyzed that day, but he and his wife, Sarah, turned the tragedy into a movement. #EndGunViolence bradyunited.org/podcast/episod…

Jim and Sarah recognized it wasn't just Jim’s life that needed saving. Lifelong Republicans, they learned that America was suffering senseless bloodshed because of weak gun laws and a reckless gun lobby. In fact, Jim aptly called the NRA the "Evil Empire." #EndGunViolence

In fighting to pass the Brady Bill, Jim & Sarah Brady saw past politics. They recognized that all that mattered was supporting sensible laws. They recognized that preventing gun violence is not about partisanship; it's about saving lives. #EndGunViolence

Jim and Sarah's path to passing the lifesaving Brady Bill was neither easy nor short. It took them over 6 years of tireless lobbying, organizing, and testifying. Along the way, they had an integral ally in a young senator — gun safety champion @JoeBiden. #TeamJoe #EndGunViolence

Jim and Sarah succeeded when @BillClinton signed the Brady Bill into law in November 1993. To date, it has blocked more than 3.5 million prohibited gun sales. That means countless lives have been saved. #EndGunViolence

But Jim and Sarah didn't stop at winning the Brady Bill. They also helped win the passage of the federal assault weapons ban — which @JoeBiden has vowed to reinstate. #EndGunViolence #TeamJoe nytimes.com/2019/08/11/opi…

Today, we're at a historic moment in the movement to #EndGunViolence. For the first time in a generation, a gun safety majority controls the U.S. House. Now, the battle is for the Senate and White House. #TeamJoe bradyunited.org/candidates/joe…

The gun lobby still has hold of our politicians. It's been +500 days since the House passed bipartisan legislation to expand the Brady Bill and save lives.

But @senatemajldr and @realDonaldTrump refuse to act. The cost is human lives. #EndGunViolence bradyunited.org/act/bloody-han…

It’s inexcusable not to take action to save lives — especially when we know the solutions. Jim and Sarah Brady knew that. #EndGunViolence

In his memorial speech upon Jim's death, @JoeBiden put it simply:

"What we need is another Jim Brady who has the skill to convince those who are afraid who walk the halls of Congress to step up and do what they know is right." #TeamJoe #EndGunViolence

In honor of Jim Brady, please join us in winning back the Senate and White House from the grips of the NRA.

To do so, we must ensure access to the ballot box. It's time to vote out NRA-backed politicians and create a safer America. #VotingAccessSavesLives bradyunited.org/democracy