July 25, 2013 Minutes
MINUTES
OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY
BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS
Thursday, July 25, 2013, 12:00pm at the
Wethersfield Police Department, Wethersfield, CT 06109
Call to Order
Acting Chairman Craig C. Fishbein, Esq. called the meeting to order at 12:00pm.
Fishbein read the Introductory Statement and administered the oath to all witnesses.
Fishbein called the roll call. 10 appellants were present and 1 appellant failed to appear.
The State Issuing Authority was present and 5local Issuing Authorities were present and 2 local Issuing Authorities failed to appear.
Board Members Present: Chairman Joseph T. Corradino*, Esq., Chief T. William Knapp, (Ret.), Attorney Craig C. Fishbein, Mr. M. Peter Kuck, Mr. Kenneth Tramadeo and Col. Kyle Overturf.
Board Members Absent: Attorney Jay Greer
*Chairman Joseph T. Corradino arrived at approximately 12:40.
Hearings:
1) Case No. 13-244-D, Ta’quana Spearman, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Sgt. Kim Nikola represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief Joseph L. Gaudett, Bridgeport Police Department.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the local Issuing Authority, Chief Joseph L. Gaudett, Bridgeport Police Department, the denial of a temporary pistol permit, by default for the appellant, Mr. Spearman, failure to appear.
2) Case No. 13-250-D, Scott Butcher, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. A representative of the local Issuing Authority, First Selectman Michael R. Criss, Town of Harwinton, failed to appear.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to overturn the decision of the local Issuing Authority, First Selectman Michael R. Criss, Town of Harwinton, by default for failure to appear and voted for Mr. Butcher to be issued a temporary pistol permit.
3) Case No. 12-232-D, Michael Overfield, involving the revocation of his pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. Paolo D’Alessandro represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Reuben F. Bradford, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
Withdrawal: The appellant, Mr. Overfield, withdrew his appeal.
4) Case No. 13-020-R, Tadjwid Wilson, involving the revocation of his pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. Attorney Andrew J. O’Neill represented the appellant. Sgt. Paolo D’Alessandro represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Reuben F. Bradford, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection with one witness.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to overturn the decision of Commissioner Reuben F. Bradford, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, and voted for Mr. Wilson’s pistol permit to be reinstated.
5) Case No. 13-161-D, Justin Ruffing, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. Martin Martinez, Montville Police Department, represented the local Issuing Authority with one witness.
Withdrawal: The appellant, Mr. Ruffing, withdrew his appeal.
*Chairman Corradino arrived.
Chairman Corradino shared information on his research on the definition of residency with State v. Drupals, 306 Conn. 149 (2012) and Black’s Law Dictionary.
6) Case No. 13-635-D, Ronald Martin, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. Attorney Ralph D. Sherman represented the appellant. Lt. Brian McCauley represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief John Salvatore, Monroe Police Department.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to overturn the decision of the local Issuing Authority, Chief John Salvatore, Monroe Police Department, and voted for Mr. Martin to be issued a temporary pistol permit.
7) Case No. 13-215-D, Anthony Vasquez, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Lt. Brian McCauley represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief Patrick Ridenhour, Stratford Police Department with one witness.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the local Issuing Authority, First Chief Patrick Ridenhour, Stratford Police Department, the denial of a temporary pistol permit at this time.
8) Case No. 13-149-D, Christopher Shelsky, Jr., involving the denial of his temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. Attorney Ralph D. Sherman represented the appellant. Chief James Keeney, Vernon Police Department, was present as the local Issuing Authority with one witness.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the local Issuing Authority, First Chief James Keeney, Vernon Police Department, the denial of a temporary pistol permit at this time.
9) Case No.13-251-D, Abbie L. Rudnyai, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf. A representative of the local Issuing Authority, Chief Carl Sferrazza, Enfield Police Department, failed to appear.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted for Ms. Rudnyai to be issued a temporary pistol permit, by default, due to the local Issuing Authority’s failure to appear.
10) Case No. 13-249-R, Stephen Jurman, involving the revocation of his pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. Paolo D’Alessandro represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Reuben F. Bradford, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection with one witness.
Decision: By a majority, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Reuben F. Bradford, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, the revocation of Mr. Jurman’s pistol permit, at this time. Kuck and Tramadeo voted for the appellant. Corradino, Fishbein, Knapp and Overturf voted for the Issuing Authority.
11) Case No. 13-252-R, Christopher Anderson, involving the revocation of his pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. Attorney Peter A. Berdon represented the appellant. Sgt. Paolo D’Alessandro represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Reuben F. Bradford, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection with one witness.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to overturn the decision of the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Reuben F. Bradford, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, and voted for Mr. Anderson’s pistol permit to be reinstated.
Secretary’s Report:
Secretary Knapp made a motion to approve the July 11, 2013 minutes with a correction regarding attendance, Overturf seconded the motion, motion carried.
Old Business:
Executive Session:
Motion: Fishbein made a motion to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing possible litigation as authorized by the Freedom of Information Act and the exclusions thereof. Tramadeo seconded the motion, motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Motion: Fishbein made a motion to come out of Executive Session, Overturf seconded the motion, motion carried.
Motion: Chairman Corradino entertained a motion that Susan Mazzoccoli, Office Manager, contact Mr. Shackford and if he hasn’t had his temporary pistol permit issued by August 12, 2013, then Mazzoccoli is to contact the Assistant Attorney General who represents the Board to commence an action in Mandamus to enforce the order of the Board dated June 27, 2013. Kuck moved the motion, Fishbein seconded, and the motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Adjournment: Knapp made a motion to adjourn, Kuck seconded the motion, motion carried.