A Los Angeles County supervisor is calling for an investigation into a gun store linked to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting.
“In the wake of the shooting outside the White House Press Correspondents’ Dinner, I urge you to launch an investigation into Turner’s Outdoorsman, the chain of gun stores where alleged gunman Cole Tomas Allen purchased his shotgun,” she wrote.
Hahn cited data from the California Department of Justice which found that nearly 8,000 guns used in crimes were purchased at Turner’s Outdoorsman locations across the state between 2022 and 2024. The one location in Torrance—Allen’s hometown—sold a total of 624 guns between 2022 and 2024 that were involved in crimes, the second most of any one store in the state. The locations in Norwalk, Signal Hill, and Pasadena sold the third, fourth, and fifth-most crime guns.
The final ordinance was a comprehensive set of restrictions on the dealers themselves. It prohibited minors from being inside of gun stores without adult supervision, and required mixed-use stores to have “sight separation.” It also required them to install security cameras and signage informing customers about the risks associated with access to guns. Furthermore, it required them to keep weekly inventories, fingerprint logs, and annual sales reports.
“Turner’s Outdoorsman’s practices demand investigation,” Hahn wrote. “Every day, guns sold at Turner’s locations in LA County turn up at crime scenes. These guns are used to kill, to injure, to rob, and to intimidate. They have inflicted immeasurable harm on Los Angeles County residents, and we should wield every tool we have to protect people.”
The annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner brings together journalists and prominent figures to celebrate press freedom. Investigators believe Allen traveled by train from California to Washington, and booked a room at the Washington Hilton hotel, where the event was held.
Investigators say Allen fired a shotgun at a Secret Service agent at a security checkpoint inside the hotel before being subdued and arrested. Video footage later shared online showed the suspect running through a hallway near the ballroom. Allen did not make it into the ballroom.
The Secret Service agent who was struck was protected by a tactical vest and released from the hospital within hours.
Allen, who authorities say was carrying a handgun and multiple knives in addition to the shotgun, was also taken to a local hospital for evaluation after the incident.
Stacy Robinson Jackson Allen contributed to this report.
