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by CSMastermind 1448 days ago
> That's like saying "If the gun fires the bullet, who is liable for murder?" It's a silly question.

I don't know I've seen several people unironically argue that it should be the gun's manufacturer.

2 comments

Probably should also add "successfully", there's a reason NYPD had/has guns that require 12 pounds of force to pull the trigger (instead of a normal ~5 lbs).
Software that exclusively has illegitimate uses has been shut down. Whether we agree that it is a good argument or not, it is definitely an argument people have made (that some types of guns are mainly designed to hurt people).

With software of course it is a little complicated because:

* it can be produced really easily in a distributed fashion over the internet by anonymous people in many jurisdictions, so there isn't always an obvious company or entity to sue

* most automation tools can be repurposed for malicious use (nobody would sue John Deere because their tractors can be armored and turned into pseudo-tank things)