As far as the sandy hook shooter goes . Yes it is know he stole the firearms from his mother . How ever we don't know how they were stolen . Did he crowbar a safe open or did he have the key or combo ? I don't believe that was ever disclosed as to how specifically he got his hands on those firearms .
I don't see that it matters. Taking something that does not belong to you, without the owner's permission is stealing! (unless you are the govt., but that's a different matter
)
How much work he had to do to steal the guns does not matter. Whether he had to crowbar open the safe, or just take the keys off his mother's corpse, the effort he had to expend to steal the guns doesn't matter.
"If" he actually had access to the firearms then the term "stole them" IMO is not quite accurate in the context of keep prohibited persons from accessing firearms . Sure in the legal since they were stolen because he was not the owner . How ever if mom did not properly secure them from a known prohibited person then I feel the " he stole the guns " is only partly accurate .
First, again, if he took them without permission, he STOLE them. I don't see where any other description is accurate. He certainly didn't "borrow" them...
Second, I don't think he actually was a prohibited person, at the time. IT takes a COURT judgment to make you a prohibited person. Either a conviction, or a adjudication by a court. NOT a doctor, or panel of doctors. Doctors can recommend, but cannot rule anyone a prohibited person. Even those locked up as a danger to themselves and others do not become prohibited persons UNTIL a court so rules. (it may be a "slam dunk" ruling for those committed for violence, but until the ruling is made, they are not prohibited persons)
I have never agreed with the commonly held idea today, that the owner is some how at fault because their property was "too easy to steal". To me, that is an idea thought up by insurance companies who want to save money by denying claims. They won't pay, because you "helped" the theft, by "allowing" your property to be stolen.
You might as well say that the murdered children were guilty for being so easy to kill...
its not right, and never will be.