My understanding is that, supposedly, intent counts when providing a tool or service. To use your example, a licensed firearm manufacturer may advertise a a shotgun, say, for hunting. If someone buys that model of shotgun and uses it to rob a bank, the manufacturer is not liable because the purpose for which the gun was used is out of bounds of the intended and advertised use. OTOH if someone offers to sell you a shotgun with a 15" barrel, a pistol grip instead of a shoulder stock and the serial number filed off, and tells you that "those stupid bank guards will never see you coming," that seller IS liable, since the whole intent of the sale is to enable an illegal use.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
