Bowman’s Gun Shop Owner Sued After 58 Guns Stolen, Trafficked

GOUVERNEUR, NY – Attorney General Letitia James today slammed Bowman’s Gun Shop and its owner, Timothy Bowman, with a lawsuit alleging blatant disregard for New York’s gun safety laws. The shop, located in St. Lawrence County, has been the site of two burglaries resulting in the theft of 58 firearms and dozens of ammunition boxes – weapons that have since surfaced in criminal investigations as far afield as New York City, Philadelphia, and even Barbados.

The lawsuit details a pattern of negligence. In the first burglary, September 2019, thieves walked into an unlocked door and made off with two shotguns, three rifles, two pistols, a BB gun, and a hefty stash of ammo. Instead of tightening security, Bowman allegedly failed to take adequate steps to prevent future incidents. A year later, in September 2020, another crew exploited a partially open window to steal 28 pistols, 12 revolvers, nine rifles – including four AR-style weapons – and two shotguns. Adding insult to injury, Bowman admitted to investigators he only armed the store’s security system “three quarters of the time.”

This isn’t a case of bad luck; it’s a pattern of willful neglect, according to the Attorney General. New York law mandates a security plan, proper firearm storage, and a functioning alarm system operated by a licensed professional. Bowman allegedly ignored all of it. “Irresponsible and inadequate security at gun shops is dangerous for all New Yorkers,” Attorney General James stated. “New Yorkers deserve to feel safe in their communities, and gun shop owners like Timothy Bowman, who repeatedly violate our gun safety laws and make it easy for thieves to steal and traffic guns, put New Yorkers at risk.”

The rot runs deeper than just lax security. Back in April 2019, the St. Lawrence County Court suspended Bowman’s license to sell and possess pistols for six months and one year, respectively, after he confessed to knowingly accepting illegal handguns and falsifying logbook entries. Even during that suspension, he continued to operate the store, and the security failures persisted. Grimy Times sources within the NYSP confirm the recovered firearms from the burglaries are linked to crimes in multiple jurisdictions, painting a clear picture of a dangerous funnel for illegal weapons.

The Attorney General’s office is seeking a court order to permanently bar Bowman from owning or operating a gun shop in New York State. The lawsuit also demands “disgorgement” – meaning Bowman will be forced to forfeit any profits gained through his negligent practices – and substantial penalties. The case highlights the critical need for strict oversight of gun dealers and the devastating consequences when those safeguards fail.

Bowman’s Gun Shop has been operating in Gouverneur, New York since 2014. The investigation remains ongoing, and the Attorney General’s office urges anyone with information regarding the stolen firearms to contact their office immediately. This case serves as a stark reminder: when gun shops fail to secure their weapons, the entire community pays the price.