A Chautauqua County man, accused of illegally selling weapons to an undercover state trooper, is the first person to be charged under the state's controversial gun control law. A veteran of the Iraq War, 32-year-old Benjamin Wassell of Silver Creek, allegedly twice sold weapons that are prohibited under the SAFE Act, the gun control law which quickly passed through the New York State Legislature in mid-January.
The first alleged sale took place in January, the second in February.
According to the Buffalo News, Wassell could serve seven years in prison if he is convicted of two separate felony charges.
Wassell has been released on his own recognizance.