November 30, 1993
The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act was signed into law by President Bill Clinton. The Brady Bill requires that background checks be conducted on individuals before a firearm may be purchased from a federally licensed dealer, manufacturer or importer—unless an exception applies. Firearm transfers by unlicensed private sellers that are “not engaged in the business” of dealing firearms are not subject to the Brady Act. The Act was named for Jim Brady, press secretary to President Ronald Reagan when both he and the president were shot during an assassination attempt by John Hinckley, Jr.
