TIMELINE OF THE BRADY BILL

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March 30th, 1981
John Hinkley Jr. attempts to assassinate President Reagan at the Washington Hilton. The President, Press Secretary James Brady, Secret Service Agent Tim McCarthy, and District of Columbia Police Officer Thomas Delahanty are shot. 

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February 4th, 1987
The Brady Bill is introduced by Representative Ed Feighan, no vote is held. 

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1990
The Brady Bill, attached to a larger omnibus crime bill, dies in committee after stagnating for two years. 

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1992
Arkansas Governor, Bill Clinton, throws his support behind the Brady Bill on the campaign trail. 

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February 11th, 1993
President Clinton calls for legislative action on the Brady Bill during the 1993 State of the Union Address. 

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February 22nd, 1993
Representative Charles Schumer reintroduces the Brady Bill as a freestanding bill. Later, the Brady Bill is attached to another sweeping crime bill and stalls in committee. 

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November 1st, 1993
President Clinton calls Representative Jack Brooks, chair of the House Judiciary Committee, and urges him to bring the Brady Bill out of committee before the Veteran’s Day break. 

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November 10th, 1993
The Brady Bill leaves committee and heads for a vote in the House of Representatives. 

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November 10th, 1993
The Brady Bill passes a vote in the House of Representatives 238-189. 

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November 20th, 1993
The Brady Bill passes the Senate 63-36 with an amendment. This triggers the formation of a Conference Committee to reconcile the House and Senate versions of the bill. 

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November 22nd, 1993
A Conference Committee forms and quickly agrees to a reconciled version of the Brady Bill. 

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November 23rd, 1993
The Conference Committee report is agreed to in the House of Representatives 238-187. The report advances to the Senate. 

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November 24th, 1993
The Conference Committee report is agreed to in the Senate by voice vote. The Brady Bill advances to the White House for signing. 

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November 30th, 1993
In a signing ceremony, with James and Sarah Brady, President Clinton signs the Brady Bill into law. 

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August 27th, 1996
The Bradys appear at the Democratic National Convention for the 1996 Presidential Election and speak to President Clinton’s work to keep guns out the hands of criminals. 

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September 6th, 1996
President Clinton presents James Brady with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. 

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December 3rd, 1996
Oral arguments in Printz v. United States are heard at the United States Supreme Court

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June 27th, 1997
The Supreme Court rules in favor of Printz and strikes down the portion of the Brady Bill that requires CLEO’s to assist the federal government with background checks. 

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February 11th, 2000
President Clinton re-dedicates the White House Press Briefing Room as the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room.

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