WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) released the following statement on the passing of former White House Press Secretary James Brady:

"Jim Brady turned a tragedy into a rallying cry for commonsense gun legislation that culminated years later with the passage of the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act. His work has stopped millions of gun sales to people who shouldn't own a gun and has left our streets safer as a result. This bill wasn't easy to pass, and it took a long time to do it, but the benefits it produced were well worth the wait. We should be inspired by his patience as we fight to pass comprehensive anti-gun violence legislation."

"Jim Brady's legacy is a reminder that other gun violence prevention measures are worth fighting for and his determination is an example of how powerful the human spirit is."