The Trace Takes Shot at California Gun Store Chain, Has to Admit It Did Nothing Wrong

May 5, 2026
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In a classic case of media missing the mark, The Trace—a gun control advocacy outfit masquerading as journalism—took aim at California's iconic Turner's Outdoorsman chain, accusing them of lax sales practices amid rising gun violence. But in a plot twist even Hollywood couldn't script, the outlet had to grudgingly concede that Turner's did everything by the book. Their deep dive revealed the stores meticulously following California's draconian laws: universal background checks, 10-day waiting periods, one-handgun-per-30-days limits, and a barrage of state-mandated safety trainings. No red flags, no shady deals—just compliant retailers navigating the nation's strictest regime. It's almost comical how The Trace's hit piece boomeranged, highlighting not negligence, but the ironclad compliance that defines Golden State gun sales. This isn't just a feel-good win for Turner's; it's a stark reminder of the media's selective outrage in the 2A arena. California already boasts the lowest gun ownership rates in the U.S. (around 20% per RAND data), yet homicides persist—often tied to illegal trafficking from laxer states like Nevada, per ATF trace reports. The Trace's non-story exposes the futility of piling on law-abiding dealers while criminals bypass the system entirely. Turner's, with its 30+ locations and decades of spotless records, embodies responsible commerce: they even pioneered voluntary measures like enhanced ID verification pre-Prop 63. Critics ignore how such shops educate buyers, reducing novice errors that fuel anti-gun narratives. For the 2A community, the implications are electric—this fumble undermines the gun store loophole myth and bolsters defenses against further encroachments. As lawsuits like *Rahimi* and *Bruen* chip away at arbitrary restrictions, stories like Turner's fortify our case: regulation doesn't stop crime, it just burdens the compliant. Pro-2A advocates should amplify this, urging chains nationwide to publicize their compliance logs. It's a rallying cry—when the media shoots blanks, we reload with facts.

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In a classic case of media missing the mark, The Trace—a gun control advocacy outfit masquerading as journalism—took aim at California’s iconic Turner’s Outdoorsman chain, accusing them of lax sales practices amid rising gun violence. But in a plot twist even Hollywood couldn’t script, the outlet had to grudgingly concede that Turner’s did everything by the book. Their deep dive revealed the stores meticulously following California’s draconian laws: universal background checks, 10-day waiting periods, one-handgun-per-30-days limits, and a barrage of state-mandated safety trainings. No red flags, no shady deals—just compliant retailers navigating the nation’s strictest regime. It’s almost comical how The Trace’s hit piece boomeranged, highlighting not negligence, but the ironclad compliance that defines Golden State gun sales.

This isn’t just a feel-good win for Turner’s; it’s a stark reminder of the media’s selective outrage in the 2A arena. California already boasts the lowest gun ownership rates in the U.S. (around 20% per RAND data), yet homicides persist—often tied to illegal trafficking from laxer states like Nevada, per ATF trace reports. The Trace’s non-story exposes the futility of piling on law-abiding dealers while criminals bypass the system entirely. Turner’s, with its 30+ locations and decades of spotless records, embodies responsible commerce: they even pioneered voluntary measures like enhanced ID verification pre-Prop 63. Critics ignore how such shops educate buyers, reducing novice errors that fuel anti-gun narratives.

For the 2A community, the implications are electric—this fumble undermines the gun store loophole myth and bolsters defenses against further encroachments. As lawsuits like *Rahimi* and *Bruen* chip away at arbitrary restrictions, stories like Turner’s fortify our case: regulation doesn’t stop crime, it just burdens the compliant. Pro-2A advocates should amplify this, urging chains nationwide to publicize their compliance logs. It’s a rallying cry—when the media shoots blanks, we reload with facts.

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