James Brady Dead -- Reagan Press Secretary Dies ... 33 Years After Assassination Attempt

James Brady -- the White House press secretary who was paralyzed by a bullet during a 1981 assassination attempt on Pres. Ronald Reagan -- has died.

Brady's death was announced by his family. They did not reveal the cause of his death.

Brady was shot in the head March 30, 1981 when John Hinckley Jr. opened fire on Reagan and his entourage outside a D.C. hotel.

He was left partially paralyzed, and he became a strong advocate for gun control. The federal law requiring a background check for all handgun buyers bears his name.

Although Brady was unable to return to his role as press secretary, he kept the title and his salary until Reagan left office in 1989.