Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act facts for kids

The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (Pub.L. 103-159, 107 Stat. 1536, enacted November 30, 1993), often referred to as the Brady Act and commonly called the Brady Bill, is an Act of the United States Congress that made background checks on firearm purchasers in the United States required and created a five-day waiting period on purchases.

The original legislation was introduced into the House of Representatives by Representative Charles E. Schumer in March 1991, but was never brought to a vote. The bill was reintroduced by Rep. Schumer on February 22, 1993 and the final version was passed on November 11, 1993.

It was signed into law by President Bill Clinton on November 30, 1993 and the law went into effect on February 28, 1994. The Act was named after James Brady, who was shot by John Hinckley, Jr. during an attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan on March 30, 1981.

Images for kids

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  James Brady in 2006