Well, programmers have agency. Guns don't. If they did, sure enough I'd blame them for "being killers" in addition to blaming whoever commanded them.
For completeness, calling something a "killer" has several connotations. One is in the very literal sense by which I call a "screwdriving tool" a "screwdriver". This is technically correct and probably not what you mean. Another connotation involves blame, and you simply can't apply this to an object without agency.
(I'm still not pro-gun, btw. I just agree that calling it a killer is not a very convincing argument on the matter)
(Nor do guns "make a living like everybody else" :) )
My point is, if your boss commands you to do something unethical, this does not dissolve you of blame (unless you are an inanimate object :p).
For completeness, calling something a "killer" has several connotations. One is in the very literal sense by which I call a "screwdriving tool" a "screwdriver". This is technically correct and probably not what you mean. Another connotation involves blame, and you simply can't apply this to an object without agency.
(I'm still not pro-gun, btw. I just agree that calling it a killer is not a very convincing argument on the matter)
(Nor do guns "make a living like everybody else" :) )
My point is, if your boss commands you to do something unethical, this does not dissolve you of blame (unless you are an inanimate object :p).