Owner of Bowman’s Gun Shop Faces Lawsuit Over Violated Gun Safety Laws

New York Attorney General Letitia James has filed a lawsuit against Bowman’s Gun Shop, a gun store in St. Lawrence County, and its owner, Timothy Bowman, for flagrant violations of New York’s gun safety laws. The charges stem from two burglaries at the shop, where 58 firearms were stolen, some of which were trafficked to major cities in the United States and even overseas.

The attorney general’s office claims that despite these thefts, Mr. Bowman has failed to implement proper security measures, including storing guns and ammunition unsafely and not securing the gun shop adequately. This neglect led to burglaries where thieves entered through an unlocked door and an open window, respectively.

In April 2019, Mr. Bowman’s license to sell pistols was suspended for six months and his permit to possess pistols for one year after admitting to knowingly receiving two handguns from an illegal possessor and making false entries in logbooks. His actions continued despite these suspensions.

The first burglary occurred in September 2019, where burglars stole two shotguns, three rifles, two pistols, a BB gun, over 50 boxes of ammunition, and cash. The second burglary, in September 2020, resulted in the theft of 28 pistols, 12 revolvers, nine rifles (including four AR-style), and two shotguns. Despite having an alarm system in place, Bowman admitted to not arming it most of the time.

Attorney General James seeks to prevent Mr. Bowman from owning or operating a gun shop in New York and is seeking disgorgement and penalties for his violations of gun safety laws.

The AG emphasized that ‘irresponsible and inadequate security at gun shops is dangerous for all New Yorkers’ and that owners have a responsibility to maintain utmost security. Today’s lawsuit aims to hold Mr. Bowman accountable and protect the public from further risks posed by lax gun shop security.

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