Once again, the gun-grabbing media is at it, twisting facts to push their anti-Second Amendment agenda. This time, Bloomberg-funded outlet The Trace is shamelessly trying to shame a California gun store for legally selling firearms to the alleged Trump assassin. Enter the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), firing back with the truth bomb that exposes this as pure propaganda.
The Facts: Legal Sales in the Strictest Gun-Control State
Let's get the details straight. Cole Tomas Allen, the man accused of attempting to assassinate President Trump, purchased a Mossberg shotgun and a pistol from Turner's Outdoorsman, a reputable California gun retailer. Here's the kicker: every single sale was 100% compliant with California's draconian gun laws. We're talking:
- Universal background checks via NICS.
- Required permits for handgun purchases.
- Full 10-day waiting periods.
- All federal and state paperwork properly completed.
California has some of the toughest gun laws in the nation—yet the system worked exactly as intended. No red flags, no violations. Turner's did their job, followed the rules, and handed over legally purchased firearms to a buyer who passed every check. But does that stop The Trace from trying to crucify them? Not a chance.
NSSF Calls Out the Propaganda Machine
In a blistering statement, NSSF didn't hold back: "The Trace's attempt to blame a licensed firearms retailer for the criminal actions of an individual is nothing more than anti-gun propaganda." They pointed out that this is just the latest hit piece from a media outlet bankrolled by Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire gun-control crusader who's poured millions into demonizing the firearms industry.
Why? Because facts don't fit their narrative. When criminals break the law with legally obtained guns, it's not a failure of the Second Amendment—it's a failure of soft-on-crime policies that let dangerous people roam free. But blaming law-abiding retailers? That's the playbook of those who want to confiscate your rights.
Bloomberg’s Media Lapdogs vs. Real America
The Trace loves to paint gun stores as the villains, ignoring that places like Turner's are pillars of their communities, serving hunters, sport shooters, and responsible owners. This isn't journalism; it's activism disguised as news. Bloomberg's empire thrives on fearmongering, hoping you'll buy into the lie that more laws (on top of California's already suffocating regs) will stop criminals.
Newsflash: Criminals don't follow laws. They steal guns, buy from black markets, or exploit failures in mental health and enforcement systems. What does work? A strong Second Amendment that arms the good guys.
Stand with NSSF and Pro-2A Retailers
Kudos to NSSF for defending the industry and shining a light on this nonsense. Support them by joining as a member, sharing their statement, and shopping at stores like Turner's that stand tall against the attacks. The media war on our rights rages on, but with facts on our side, we'll keep winning.
What do you think? Is The Trace just embarrassing themselves, or is this part of a bigger push? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and stay armed, informed, and unapologetic.
Stay vigilant, Second Amendment warriors.
References
- https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/nssf-the-trace-gun-store-blame
- https://www.thetrace.org/2026/05/turners-outdoorsman-california-crime-guns/
- https://www.nssf.org/articles/bloombergs-propaganda-arm-running-name-and-shame-scam-again/
- https://www.dailybreeze.com/2026/05/06/investigation-sought-into-torrance-store-that-sold-gun-used-in-alleged-trump-assassination-attempt
- https://www.shootingnewsweekly.com/business/bloomberg-agitprop-outlet-tries-to-blame-gun-store-for-selling-to-would-be-trump-assassin