In Colonie, New York, Denzel Grimes, a 29-year old man, accidentally shot and killed himself in a hotel with a 9-mm pistol.  The gun apparently discharged and struck Mr. Grimes in the groin. He later died of the wound.   Police identified Grimes’s gun as a “Jennings/Bryco Arms, Model 59,” a type of cheap handgun that is illegal in New York and in several other states. 

The gun manufacturer Jennings, and its successor Bryco, were sometimes referred to as “Ring of Fire” companies.  The so-called “Ring of Fire” companies produced guns which in popular culture became known as “Saturday Night Specials,” cheap pistols notorious not just for their associations with acts of violence, but also for defects and breakdowns. Those defects include misfires as well as cracking and melting frames.  Although such guns have been banned in many states, there are many still in the hands of prior buyers, contributing to gun violence and gun accidents. 

The absence of national design safety standards for guns of the type that exist for most other potentially dangerous consumer products, including toasters and coffeemakers, allowed these cheap and dangerous guns to be produced for decades without consideration of the dangers they cause to their owners and to the public.  Mr. Grimes is simply the latest casualty.

Sources:

Johan Sheridan, “Fatal Easter Shooting in Colonie was Accidental and Self-inflicted, Police Say,” News 10 (April 13, 2020).

Matt Drange, “Guns at Center of ‘Saturday Night Special’ Lawsuit to be Destroyed” Reveal, Center for Investigative Reporting (January 22, 2015). 

The latter article cited above is an example of reporting on defects associated with Bryco manufactured guns.  Many others exist.