Posted on 03/16/2013 7:21:13 AM PDT by EXCH54FE
Western New York man now faces seven years in prison for violating Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s new gun control-law, the NY Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act (or SAFE Act).
Benjamin M. Wassell, an Iraq War veteran, was charged with twice selling newly banned military-style ‘assault’ weapons and standard-capacity magazines to an undercover police officer as part of a sting operation conducted by State Police and the New York Attorney General’s Office, the Buffalo News reported.
Altogether, the 32-year-old Silver Creek resident was slapped with three felony charges and one misdemeanor, which as noted could end up putting Wassell, who has no prior convictions, behind bars for as many as seven years.
“By selling these illegal firearms, Mr. Wassell’s actions had potentially dangerous consequences for New Yorkers,” said state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. “We have seen far too much gun violence in our state in recent months, and the sale of illegal semiautomatic weapons will not go unpunished.”
On Jan. 24 Wassell sold a Del-Ton AR-15 to an undercover agent along with six standard-capacity magazines and 299 rounds of ammunition for $1,900.
Due do the fact that the rifle has one or more military cosmetic characteristics, i.e. a detachable magazine, a pistol grip and a telescoping stock, it is considered an ‘assault’ weapon under the NY SAFE Act and cannot be sold to anyone but a licensed dealer or an out-of-state citizen.
Gun owners in the Empire State should be on high-alert moving forward. Both Cuomo and NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg will continue to appropriate state and city resources to conducting sting operations that attempt to entrap law-abiding gun owners.
He hasn’t been convicted yet. Is he going to raise the Second Amendment at his trial?
But will the judge be some leftist lackey?
Hope his trial is anywhere but NYC. Perhaps jury nullification could come into play. Not holding my breath though.
Entrapment and making an example out of a law abiding citizen for the purposes of political gain.
Let’s hope he gets tried in Silver Creek where he lives. This is a rural area of New York where it’s mostly farmers and the like.
“Entrapment and making an example out of a law abiding citizen for the purposes of political gain.”
I assume he will be getting some great pro-gun lawyers - I think the NRA would love to help out with this “test” case.
I’m sure that statement by this a-hole will be of great comfort to the ten year old who was raped after she watched her mother be killed.
This was all about making criminals out of law abiding citizens.
I like going to NYC to shop, see the sights, wander in the museums, and eat the great food in China Town and Little Italy. Now I will not spend a dime in the State of New York. I will buy my gas and food in states on either side of New York when I travel to see family.
I think there may be more to this story that we do not know about.
There are tons of AR/AK type weapons for sale in local papers. It is my understanding that the SAFE ACT will not be enacted until Jan. 2014, parts of it will start April 15th this year.
Check out what AR’s etc. are going for here:
http://www.wantaddigest.com/view/forsale.asp?eclass=Firearms
The questios is, “ How can we help this guy out?” Who is his lawyer? Is there a defense fund? Etc. Don’t let this drop.
Bargain!
Put your life on the line in defense of the constitution - and the second amendment - and go to prison.
And kids are still signing up for a service career.
The low lifes in the “law enforcement” community finally have something to do. “Sting” American veterans. They won’t have to mess with the more dangerous criminals on the street as well as the dangerous illigal aliens out there killing Americans. I’m disgusted with this country.
Well, for sure, on a similar item, there goes any food items being ordered by mail, that are particular to NY.
When QVC has their spot for Nathan’s hot dog products, or Junior’s cheesecakes, don’t buy them!
I am not going to buy any food items, that I have only been able to acquire, by mail, from NYC any more.
dumb to do business like this.
better idea.
sell the lower receiver separately.
sell the upper receiver as ‘machine parts’.
and not the other stuff
Someone needs to re-educate the good people of New York concerning “Jury Nullification!”
It seems New Yorkers have forgotten how they fought slavery laws in the 1800s by refusing to return guilty verdicts against runaway slaves.
Remember, the jury’s verdict of “NOT GUILTY” not only outweighs the JUDGE, it OUTWEIGHS ANY LAW!!!!
It’s high time New Yorkers push back against these ridiculous, commie gun Kontrol laws and soda bans by simply volunteering for jury duty and returning a verdict of “NOT GUILTY” whenever these unjust laws are used to prosecute the good people of New York!
“I consider trial by jury as the only anchor yet imagined by man, by which a government can be held to the principles of its constitution.” - Thomas Jefferson
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.