James Brady dies aged 73

Former White House press secretary to Ronald Reagan, James Brady, died on Monday aged 73. He passed away at a retirement community in suburban Alexandria, Virginia, where he lived with his wife, Sarah.

"We are heartbroken to share the news that our beloved Jim 'Bear' Brady has passed away after a series of health issues," Brady's family said in a statement. "His wife, Sarah, son, Scott, and daughter, Missy, are so thankful to have had the opportunity to say their farewells."

Before beginning his eight years in office under Ronald Reagan's presidency in 1981, it was known that Reagan's advisers were initially hesitatnt about appointing Brady as the White House Spokesman.

Nancy Reagan was said to have thought the position required someone younger and better looking.

Known for his quick wit and jovial manner, Brady told reporters: "I come before you today not as just another pretty face, but out of sheer talent."

A week later he got the job.

In March of the same year, Brady suffered a devastating head wound in Washington during the assassination attempt on President Reagan.

As the most seriously injured of the four gunshot victims, Brady was never able to return to full health and suffered brain damage, partial paralysis, short-term memory impairment, slurred speech and constant pain.

Despite spending much of the rest of his life wheelchair-bound, Brady launched a personal campaign for gun control.

It was thanks to Brady's crusade that the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act was introduced, which requires and five-day wait and a background check on buyers before a handgun is sold in the U.S.

As President Bill Clinton signed the bill into law on November 30 1993, Brady said, "Every once in a while you need to wake up and smell the propane. I needed to be hit in the head before I started hitting the bricks.

Three years later, Brady was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Clinton. He continued to campaign for stricter gun laws for years, ata Cpaitol Hill rallyin 2011, Brady said: "I wouldn't be here in this damn wheelchair if we had some common-sense legislation."

The White House press briefing room was also renamed in his honor in 2000.

"He is somebody who I think really revolutionized this job," said Josh Earnest, President Barack Obama's press secretary. "Brady leaves the kind of legacy...that certainly this press secretary and all future press secretaries will aspire to live up to."

kb/msh (AP, Reuters)