Brooklyn, N.Y. – Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke released the following statement on the passing of former White House Press Secretary James Brady, whose work in support of gun control laws has saved thousands of lives:

“American  families are more secure today because of James Brady. After he was wounded in the attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan, James Brady and his wife, Sarah, dedicated themselves to eliminating the threat of gun violence. James and Sarah Brady became leaders in the effort to require background checks for the purchase of a gun, a program that has prevented more than 300,000 domestic abusers from buying a gun. Today, we must continue his work, by preventing the trafficking in illegal guns.  The guns sold by only 1.2 percent of firearms dealers account for almost 60 percent of guns used in crimes. With Sarah Brady, the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, and my colleague in Congress, I will work to extend his legacy, to prevent the many senseless deaths that occur each year as a result of illegal guns.”

U.S. Representative Yvette D. Clarke is a member of the House Committee on Small Business, Ethics, and Homeland Security, where she is the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies. She represents many neighborhoods in central and southern Brooklyn, NY which include Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Gerritsen Beach, Madison, Midwood, parts of Park Slope and Flatlands, Prospect Heights, Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, Sheepshead Bay, and Windsor Terrace.