Testing...
David,
"IMHO, if it is possible to desgin a firearm so that you DON'T have to disengage the safety for unloading or loading, you damned well ought to do so"
While it might be technically be possible to design a safety that allows you do unload a firearm without taking it off safe, it's not a simple process. Some revolvers have safeties, some autoloaders don't. My CZ's, while not expensive firearms, are considered good quality, and you can't cycle the action on them with the safety on.
It would add a considerable amount of complexity to a firearm, making the Bryco cost more. Remember, the Bryco .380 would be a gun for a lower income person. Every dollar makes a difference. It might be the difference between this gun and no gun. Lower income people also tend to drive cheap older cars, without all the safety features of newer or more expensive cars. It's a fact of life.
Take a look at how a semi-auto operates. to unload you have to remove the magazine, then cycle the action. On my CZ40, cycling the action moves the hammer and firing pin assembly, and interacts with the trigger assembly. I'm not sure, but it looks like there's even a firing pin block. My CZ75BD has one, but I don't remember if the 40 does.
Anyways,
1) Ability to unload with safety on is a nitpick, as you should keep your fingers off the trigger and the gun pointed in a safe direction when unloading
2) Manufacturing a firearm with the ability to be unloaded with the safety on adds complexity and expense
3) The safety might not be as reliable as the other ones. Otherwise, why would so many expensive guns exhibit the same features?
4) You're not supposed to depend on the safety in the first place!
I messed around with my CZ40 for a little bit playing the babysitter. Safety on, trying to rack the slide. After I noticed my finger staying firmly off the trigger, I placed it on the trigger for a 'better grip'. I found that I tended to point it sideways, to my left, pointing about 10 degrees behind me, slightly downward. I had some trouble firing the gun, as I kept tending to take my finger off the trigger. I found that when I had a nice firm grip on the gun, including the trigger, and operated the safety, the gun did fire(not really, I had unloaded it first, but the hammer did drop).
Extreme negligence/Stupidity. I mean, if she didn't know that much about guns, how did she know how to cycle the action in the first place?
I'd vote for mandatory teaching of the four rules in school. I mean, they mandate sex ed, so why not this?