New Castle gun dealer faces charges

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — A New Castle, Pa., gun dealer is accused of selling weapons without a valid federal firearms license.

Pennsylvania State Police filed charges this week against Joseph Venasco, 66, of Lakewood Drive of receiving stolen property and selling firearms without a license.

State police said they learned that a man bought a Glock pistol from Venasco at Allegheny Outfitters on Croton Avenue on Aug. 17, but did not fill out any paperwork normally used during a handgun purchase.

Police learned Aug. 20 that the business’ firearms license had been revoked in September 2006.

State police served a search warrant on the business and took more than 200 guns. A check of serial numbers found that two of the guns had been reported stolen to the New Castle Police Department.

Venasco was expected to turn himself into police later Thursday.