This is a text visualization for the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, a federal law that was passed in 1993 requiring all purchasers of firearms to undergo a background check before being able to actually purchase one. The law was named for Jim Brady, one of the people shot by John Hinckley during the assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan. Hinckley had purchased guns illegally by providing a false address, and, had a background check been performed, probably would not been able to have attempted the assassination.



The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act is more of an enforcement bill than anything else. It has penalties for gun dealers if they do not follow proper procedure, has an office for all background checks to be performed, and provides federal and local police agencies more power to prevent gun violence.