Thread by @KrisB_Brown

40 years ago on March 30, 1981, a bullet changed the course of U.S. history.

White House Press Sec Jim Brady was shot in the head when a gunman tried to kill President Reagan. Jim was paralyzed. But he used the tragedy to take on the NRA & change our nation's gun laws.

🧵Thread

President Reagan was struck by a single bullet. He'd feel the effects for years. Two officers were also wounded.

Jim was shot in the head. He'd been on the job as Reagan's @WhiteHouse press secretary — his dream job — for just two months. cc @POTUS

The news that day falsely reported that Jim Brady was dead. It's not hard to undertand why — the scene itself was gruesome, and Jim's injury was near fatal.

Here's video/audio of Jim's wife, Sarah, reflecting on getting the news. #OnThisDay #TodayinHistory

The doctor warned Sarah that Jim might not survive. "You have to save him," she said. "He has a little boy." #EndGunViolence

Jim Brady spent 239 days at @GWHospital and underwent multiple surgeries.

He was left with slurred speech, partial paralysis, and constant pain. He'd use a wheelchair for the rest of his life — all because our nation's weak gun laws allowed that gunman to easily buy a firearm.

But Jim and Sarah turned their grief into action to prevent other senseless tragedies. They set their sights on reforming America's weak gun laws and passing ther Brady Bill. #EndGunViolence #GunReformNow @bradybuzz bradyunited.org/reports/how-br…

The Reagan gunman could have been blocked from buying his gun under something as common-sense as a federal background check system (the Brady Bill).

Jim and Sarah fought to pass this legislation because they knew tragedies are preventable with policy solutions.

They boldly took on the NRA, which they knew funneled endless money into blocking gun reform.

And yes, the NRA even tried to stop the Brady Bill and federal background checks from becoming law. vanityfair.com/news/1991/01/g…

As Jim Brady was recovering from his gunshot injuries, Sarah Brady called the NRA and left a voicemail.

“My name is Sarah Brady. And you’ve never heard of me, but I am going to make it my life’s ambition to try to put you all out of business.” #DissolvetheNRA

Truly, my hero.

(P.S. Flash forward, the recent lawsuits against the NRA and their bankruptcy filings mean we're closer than ever to finally ending their greed, abuse, and lethality. Join us: dissolvethenra.org.) @bradybuzz

Here's what's especially interesting + important: Jim was a gun owner and both Jim and Sarah were longtime Republicans.

They knew that passing sensible gun laws isn't about politics or partisanship; it’s about saving lives. @bradybuzz

That's why @bradybuzz's motto today is #TakeActionNotsides.

And that's why our logo is the multicolored star: Red and blue converge to form a star with a purple core, symbolizing the transformative power of bipartisanship.

Jim and Sarah Brady's path to passing the Brady Bill was neither easy nor short. It took +7 years and 3 presidencies — both red & blue — to become law.

But they believed in the power of bipartisan, common-sense solutions to prevent gun violence.

In fact, here's Jim with Presidents Reagan, Clinton, Bush, and Obama. The message?

We can work across the aisle.

Our country doesn't have to be wracked with senseless gun violence. Bipartisan solutions are in our hands. #TakeActionNotSides #EndGunViolence

And, of course, we can't forget the role of a scrappy young senator and future @POTUS named @joebiden in joining Jim & Sarah to usher the Brady Bill through Congress. #EndGunViolence @WhiteHouse @bradybuzz

Today, the Brady Bill continues to save countless lives, especially as gun sales have surged during the pandemic.

In March 2020 alone, @bradybuzz estimates that Americans purchased 2.3 million firearms, an 85% increase over the same month in 2019. bradyunited.medium.com/gun-sales-surg…

To date, the Brady Bill has blocked 4 million gun sales to people who cannot legally possess guns.

States that require background checks on all handgun sales have less than half as many mass shooting incidents. #EndGunViolence

The Brady Bill's efficacy is indisputable. But deadly gaps in background checks remain — allowing guns into the hands of those who should not have them.

Today, 1 in 5 guns is sold without a background check. We need to strengthen our nation's gun laws & close these deadly gaps.

Polls show an overwhelming 90% of Americans today — including most Republicans and gun owners — want stronger gun laws.

That's not very divise! The solutions are clear, and they have bipartisan support. @bradybuzz morningconsult.com/2021/03/10/hou…

Americans are sick and tried of the NRA.

We want to finish what Jim and Sarah started when they fought for sensible gun laws.

We want to pass common-sense, evidence-based solutions to address our country's gun violence epidemic.

Right now, solutions are sitting before the Senate. Last month, we at @bradybuzz celebrated when, under @SpeakerPelosi's leadership, the House passed not one but TWO bills to strengthen background checks. (Thank you, @WhipClyburn and @RepThompson.) abcnews.go.com/Politics/house…

Today, 40 years after the day Jim Brady was shot, I'm proud to continue Jim and Sarah's legacy at @bradybuzz.

With gun safety champions in the House, Senate, and the @WhiteHouse, now is the time. We are on the cusp of making life-saving change.

Our @POTUS @JoeBiden is a dedicated gun safety champion. He has a history of working alongside @bradybuzz to take on the NRA and pass legislation to save lives. We did with the Brady Bill and an assault weapons ban, and we can do it again.

When it comes to addressing America's gun violence epidemic:

Here's what the 117th Congress can do: bradyunited.org/reports/legisl…

And here's what @POTUS and @WhiteHouse can do:
bradyunited.org/reports/biden-…

40 years after Jim Brady shot, we are on a path to a safer America.

We can truly save lives if our lawmakers remember Jim & Sarah Brady's legacy. If they put politics aside and find the common ground in common-sense solutions.

Join me: bradyunited.org. #EndGunViolence