An 1848 “Colt pocket pistol,” once owned by former White House spokesman James Brady, nearly killed in the attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan, is being sold by a gun rights group to raise money to fight Brady’s gun control group.
The current owner of the “Rammerless 1849 Colt Baby Dragoon,” offered by GunAuction.com for $1,500, indicated that the gun was an “important symbol” to be used to reclaim Second Amendment rights that Brady and his wife tried to limit.
Former White House Press Secretary James Brady on the ground after being shot in the Reagan assassination attempt in 1981. AP Photo
“Today, the names of James and Sarah Brady inspire a good deal of anger and disgust among gun owners. Their advocacy of laws to restrict firearms freedoms, and the use of James Brady’s injuries to further that end, negated much of the sympathy they might have otherwise enjoyed,” said the description of the .31 caliber Colt.
“The Brady Gun’s sale, and even its existence, are important symbols. While we can’t completely undo what was done, we can fight to reclaim our constitutional rights by supporting those organizations that actively engage those who would disarm us,” it added. The website Bearing Arms reported the sale Wednesday.
A portion of the sale will be donated to the Second Amendment Foundation, a gun rights group.
The description reveals that Brady had other guns at the time he was shot by John Hinckley Jr. on March 30, 1981. But his wife gave them to a gardener to dispose of after the shooting. They also created the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence which championed the Brady Bill and background checks.
Brady died last year and his death was ruled a homicide, though efforts are underway to give Hinkley more free time.
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected].
