Sarah Kemp Brady, who became an activist for gun control after her husband was shot in the head in the assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan, has died.
Brady, 73, died in a retirement community in Alexandria, Virginia on Friday after battling pneumonia, family members said in an email.
Brady’s husband, former White House press secretary James Brady, died on 4 August, also at the age of 73.
The 1981 assassination attempt on Reagan by John Hinckley Jr left James Brady partially paralyzed.
Four years later, Sarah Brady became involved in gun control. She chaired Handgun Control Inc, which was renamed the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence as a tribute to the Bradys. The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act was signed into law in 1993 by President Bill Clinton.
“Sarah courageously stepped up after Jim was shot to prevent others from enduring what our family has gone through, and her work has saved countless lives,” the family’s statement said. “Sarah was a voice of strength, love and encouragement, and she inspired others, showing that one person could make a difference and change the world — which she did.”
Dan Gross, president of Brady Campaign, called Sarah Brady “its guiding light”.
“There are countless people walking around today who would not be were it not for Sarah Brady’s remarkable resilience, compassion,” Gross said.
Nancy Reagan, Ronald Reagan’s widow, recalled the immediate aftermath of the assassination attempt.
In a statement emailed by the Reagan Foundation, she wrote: “Just over 34 years ago, we shared an experience that bonded us for life, as we comforted each other in a tiny, windowless office at the George Washington University hospital emergency room, while awaiting word about whether our husbands would survive the horrific gunshots that had brought them there.”
Sarah Brady, pictured far right in 2006
, gun control campaigner and widow of former US   , has died at the age of 73. Her death was announced by the . Brady died on Friday after a battle with  according to e-mails sent by her family.  

A statement by the Brady Campaign and Center to Prevent Gun Violence was posted on Facebook. It said "We are heartbroken over the loss of Sarah Brady, our dear friend and Chairperson of the Brady Campaign and Center to Prevent Gun Violence. Sarah was a champion for gun violence prevention and her commitment and fiery compassion will live on." 

On March 30, 1981 , Sarah Brady's husband, James, was injured in a shooting attempted assassination of US President . A bullet entered his head and lodged in his brain. He suffered severe injuries and was partially paralyzed for the remainder of his life. The attack by . also injured three more people, including President Reagan.

In the years after the shooting, Sarah Brady became an advocate for gun control laws, and in 1989 vice chair of Handgun Control, Inc. In 2001 Handgun Control, Inc. became known as the Brady Campaign in tribute of both Sarah and James' efforts in fighting for tougher gun control. Brady said "the proudest moment of our lives" was in 1993 when President Bill Clinton signed into effect the , tightening gun law legislation. 

Former First Lady  released a statement regarding the death of her "dear friend" Sarah Brady. She said "Over the years, I found her to be a woman of immense courage, strength and optimism. I will miss Sarah very much, but take comfort in knowing that she joined Jim on Good Friday and is now at peace." 

Another tribute came from former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Giffords, who was was shot in the head and nearly killed in 2011, said "We know Sarah will be missed by all those whose lives she touched and who were so inspired by her commitment to her late husband Jim and to the cause of reducing gun violence in our country... Sarah Brady showed us not only what a tireless fight for common sense looks like, but also what it means to be a loving spouse and caretaker in the wake of a senseless tragedy. Our prayers are with her son Scott, her daughter Missy, and the entire Brady Campaign family as they mourn this devastating loss".

Brady's death has come less than a year after the death of her husband. James Brady also died at the age of 73 last August. She is survived by son James and stepdaughter Melissa.