Shop owner feels 'duped' by ATF agents

ALEXANDRIA BAY — The owner of Panunzio's Guns, Route 37, said he was duped by federal authorities when he sold a rifle to a woman he later learned was an undercover agent.

U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents and state police executed a search warrant Tuesday afternoon at the town of Alexandria store. Louis R. Panunzio, the 79-year-old shop owner, who has been selling guns for more than 40 years, said he was surprised by the raid.

Mr. Panunzio said he recalled a man visiting the shop several months ago looking to buy a rifle.

"The fellow came in once before and filled out the proper papers and was denied," Mr. Panunzio said. "He came back a month or two later with a woman. She filled out the papers and wasn't denied."

Mr. Panunzio said that until he was informed by ATF agents Tuesday, he didn't know the Browning rifle sold to the woman actually was for the man who was denied ownership. He said he also was told both conversations were recorded by the undercover agents.

"She can do whatever she wants with the weapon after I sold it," Mr. Panunzio said. "I think I was (duped) a little bit."

ATF agents seized his business records and a few handguns from his shop, he said. No criminal charges have been filed, ATF officials said Tuesday night.