Turner Outdoorsman, the largest firearms retailer in California, has once again become the focus of gun control advocacy groups due to its high number of firearms traces linked to criminal investigations. Recent data from the California Department of Justice shows the Bakersfield location alone was connected to 83 traced guns between 2023 and 2025, the highest among active dealers in the state’s most populous cities. However, local law enforcement officials have stated there is no evidence of illegal sales at the store.
Tracing Guns and the Demand 2 Program
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) previously implemented the Demand 2 program, which targeted federally licensed firearm dealers (FFLs) with 25 or more gun traces within three years. Although the ATF clarified that a high number of traces does not necessarily indicate wrongdoing, gun control groups have used these statistics to allege negligence or complicity in arming criminals.
Turner Outdoorsman locations in California were included in this program, drawing attention from advocacy organizations and media outlets such as The Trace, which is affiliated with Everytown for Gun Safety. The Trace has published multiple reports suggesting questionable practices at Turner’s stores, particularly focusing on the Bakersfield location.
Data Highlights and Local Responses
From 2023 to 2025, Turner Outdoorsman sold over 16,000 firearms at its Bakersfield store. Of those sales, 83 guns were traced in connection with criminal investigations. While this represents a small fraction of total sales, the number is the highest among licensed dealers in California’s largest cities.
Despite the data, Bakersfield police told The Trace they are unaware of any illegal firearm transactions occurring at the store. Nonetheless, the report gave prominence to voices from gun control groups calling for further scrutiny.
Juan Avila, representing the community violence intervention group Garden Pathways, noted that tracing crime guns has become a new metric for violence prevention efforts in Bakersfield. He highlighted the frequency with which guns traced back to Turner’s were discussed in meetings between local law enforcement and intervention groups.
Advocacy Groups Demand Action
Christian Heyne of Brady United criticized Turner Outdoorsman for what he described as corporate-level failures to prevent guns from being used in crimes. He pointed out that other major retailers such as Bass Pro Shops and Sportsman’s Warehouse have significantly lower percentages of their sales traced in criminal investigations.
Turner’s Southern California locations occupied the top eight spots on the list of dealers with the most traces statewide. Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn called for an official investigation into the company, echoing earlier demands from gun control advocates following The Trace’s initial reporting.
Contextualizing the Numbers
The Trace reported that Turner’s was responsible for nearly 22 percent of all gun sales in California between 2023 and 2025, and about 26 percent of all traced guns during the same period. This translates to roughly 8,500 traced firearms out of approximately 540,000 total sales statewide.
Critics argue these figures do not necessarily indicate disproportionate wrongdoing, given that not all guns used in crimes are traced and not all traced guns are linked to criminal use. The large market share held by Turner Outdoorsman naturally results in a higher number of traces compared to smaller retailers.
Still, gun control advocates maintain that the volume of traced guns connected to Turner’s warrants further investigation and corporate accountability.
Political Implications and Strategies
Turner Outdoorsman’s prominence as California’s largest firearms retailer makes it a focal point for gun control efforts, especially in a state with strong Democratic leadership and progressive gun laws. Advocacy groups often use trace data to support narratives calling for stricter regulation and enforcement.
While law enforcement officials have not found evidence of illegal sales, gun control organizations continue to emphasize anecdotes and trace statistics to press for policy changes. This approach has found traction in California’s political climate, where calls for increased gun safety measures are common.
Conclusion: A Contentious Debate Over Gun Retailers and Crime
The renewed scrutiny of Turner Outdoorsman highlights the ongoing tension between gun rights advocates and gun control groups over the interpretation of firearms trace data. While the retailer’s large market share explains much of the trace volume, advocates argue that more must be done to prevent guns from reaching criminals.
Local law enforcement’s statements of no known illegal activity contrast with calls for investigations from political figures and advocacy organizations. As California continues to grapple with gun violence, the debate over the role of major firearms dealers like Turner Outdoorsman remains a politically charged issue.
Source: Read the original reporting.
