Victim wants to shut down gun company

Sat., July 10, 2004

Ron Word Associated Press

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A California teenager left paralyzed by an accidental shooting a decade ago placed a bid in federal bankruptcy court Friday to buy the flawed handgun’s manufacturer so he can shut it down.

Brandon Maxfield, 17, raised $175,000, much of it through his Web site, to buy bankrupt Bryco Arms of Costa Mesa, Calif. He wants to melt down 70,000 unassembled guns and close the company for good.

Bryco filed for bankruptcy in 2003 after a jury awarded the teenager $51 million in damages in a lawsuit.

Maxfield’s bid to purchase Bryco was $25,000 more than the $150,000 accepted by U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Jerry Funk from Paul Jiminez, the company’s former manager.

Ned Nashban, an attorney representing Bryco’s owner, said the bidding process was over. But Richard Ruggieri, Maxfield’s California attorney, disagreed, saying Funk could decide to sell to Maxfield since receiving the higher bid.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.

Victim wants to shut down gun company

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

Abraham Foxman, influential leader of Anti-Defamation League, dies at 86

Gun ammunition that derailed Frontier flight at Denver airport belonged to law enforcement, airline says

President says Iran ceasefire is 'on life support' as hopes for a deal fade