To Some Degree, We are Products of the Things We Possess

   How much did owning the gun affect Nikolas Cruz? Did he start to think in terms of being "a professional school shooter" after he bought the gun, or was he already thinking that direction before owning it? Do we too easily dismiss guns as inanimate objects, not capable of influencing us? I would suggest that at least to some degree, we are products of the things we possess  -- and that includes guns. They do influence us. Saying, Guns don't kill, people do, sweeps this truth under the rug.
  We learn from history. We can also learn from current events. We can see how Nikolas Cruz might have resolved to use the weapon for ill after he obtained it, not before -- or, at least, he solidified his determination to do harm after obtaining the weapon. We can see how guns can influence some to do evil. Yes, these are people predisposed. Still, it remains, they sometimes do not go that direction until the gun is in their hands. The gun is an enabler.
  Questioning the old adage, Guns don't kill, people do, is a hard thing. Admitting it might be wrong might be painful. Still, if we are not willing to learn from history -- or from a current event -- we are doomed to repeat it.
   Bless those of you who think differently. Your opinions remain fine with me.