They/them has applied to the singular for at least hundreds of years. "Who was that?" "I don't know, but they left this." For example.
I mean in that very specific context sure. But you certainly don’t usually use plural pronouns when referring to a singular individual usually in the modern English language. How you used they in that particular sentence earlier does not flow/read well to me. “They bought 7 guns…” when referring to a singular individual buying 7 guns can be confusing on the surface without full context. What people bought 7 guns?
You and ye were originally plural only pronouns of thou and thee. Ever noticed how "you" can refer to one or however many people? Pretty sure Shakespeare used a singular they. That people prefer it as their personal pronoun is new, but its use as a singular pronoun is not. "Well they are the doctor." "They are a child." "The kid told me their age." "The wallet is theirs." The lawyer can do it themselves."
I can absolutely throw down on this. I am old enough to have been they/theming before anyone wanted to be they/them.
“The killer bought seven guns.” Much better reading flow/overall clarity that instantly reveals both who and the number/s of people being referred to than your original sentence. Always using plural they/them pronouns for every single instance when referring to a particular individual isn’t the prettiest way of using modern English. But whatever.
A Trumpian way of Englishing. “That’s what they say. It’s just what they are saying”. Could refer to many. Or maybe just one person. But they are saying nonetheless. Modern fluid spectrum of pronoun usage be wild
I’m gonna just keep with she if one has a vagina and he if one has franks and beans. If I make a mistake, whatever. I recently asked a non pregnant woman when she was due so I’m not worried about backlash.
When I was in school “they” could only be used as a singular when the individual was of unknown gender. “They broke into my home, they took everything”. If you have the person on camera, and you know it’s a male then it’s “he broke into my house, he stole everything”. I don’t know whether it’s been made official or not now, but I think it’s pretty universally accepted that “they” is okay when referencing someone of non-binary gender.
