James Brady, who had served as the press secretary for former President Ronald Regan, died Monday. He was 73.

James Brady Dies

Brady’s death was confirmed by his family, reported The New York Times. His cause of death is unknown.

On March 30, 1981, while serving as Reagan's press secretary, Brady was shot in the head by John Hinkley Jr. outside the Washington Hilton Hotel. Hinkley had been making an assassination attempt on Reagan, hoping to get the attention of actress Jodie Foster, whom he was fixated with and wanted to impress. Hinkley was found not guilty by reason of insanity and has been institutionalized as a psychiatric care facility since the incident.

In addition to Brady, police officer Thomas Delahanty, Secret Service agent Timothy McCarthy and Reagan were also injured in ths shooting. Brady, however, was the one most gravely injured. The gunshot wound to the head left the left side of his body paralyzed for the duration of his life.

Following the life-changing event, Brady became an ardent gun control activist with his wife Sarah Brady. Brady lobbied diligently for stricter handgun control as well as assault weapon restrictions. The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, more commonly known as the "Brady Bill," requires background checks for all handgun buyers.

The White House Press Briefing Room was renamed the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room in 2000.

In addition to his wife, Brady is survived by son, James Scott Brady Jr., and daughter, Melissa Jane.