MINUTES

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS

Thursday, March 14, 2013, 12:00pm at the

Wethersfield Police Department, Wethersfield, CT

Call to Order

Chairman Joseph T. Corradino, Esq. called the meeting to order at 12:00pm.

Chairman Corradino read the Introductory Statement

Chairman Corradino called the roll call. 15 appellants were present and 2 appellants were absent.

The State Issuing Authority was present and 7 local Issuing Authorities were present.

Board Members Present: Chairman Joseph T. Corradino (left at 4:42pm**), Esq., Chief T. William Knapp, (Ret.), Attorney Craig Fishbein, Attorney Jay Greer, Mr. Kenneth Tramadeo and Col. Kyle Overturf. (Left at 4:10pm*)

Board Members Absent: Mr. M. Peter Kuck

Chairman Joseph T. Corradino administered the oath to all witnesses.

Secretary T. William Knapp made a motion to move #3, 13-127-D to #1 on the agenda. Tramadeo seconded the motion, motion carried.

Hearings:

1) Case No. 13-065-D. Sammy Fonesca, involving the denial of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Officer Monique Colon appeared on behalf of the local Issuing Authority Chief Dean Esserman, New Haven Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant, Mr. Fonesca, withdrew his appeal due to a change of home address.

2) Case No. 13-069-D, Rodney Hodge, involving the denial of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Officer Monique Colon appeared on behalf of the local Issuing Authority Chief Dean Esserman, New Haven Police Department.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the local Issuing Authority, Chief Esserman, New Haven Police Department, by default, the denial of a temporary pistol permit, due to the appellant’s failure to appear.

3) Case No. 13-127-D, Stephen L. Brown, involving the denial of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. A representative from the local Issuing Authority appeared on behalf of First Selectman Gregg Schuster, Town of Colchester.

Withdrawal: The appellant, Mr. Brown, withdrew his appeal.

4) Case No 13-003-SD, Peter A. Lefrancois, involving the State denial of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Sgt. Paolo D’Alessandro represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Reuben F. Bradford, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Reuben F. Bradford, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, by default, the denial of a State pistol permit, due to the appellants’ failure to appear.

5) Case No. 12-402-R, Timothy Levasseur, 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 unanimous decision, 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. Levasseur’s pistol permit, at this time.

6) Case No.13-227-R, Montgomery Fitzpatrick, 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 unanimous decision, 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. Fitzpatrick’s pistol permit, at this time.

7) Case No. 12-342-R, Howard Alston, 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. Alston’s pistol permit. Fishbein voted for the appellant. Corradino, Greer, Knapp, Overturf and Tramadeo voted for the revocation of Mr. Alston’s pistol permit, at this time.

8) Case No. 12-256-R, Keith Hite, 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.

Col. Overturf recused himself from the hearing.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, 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. Hite’s pistol permit, at this time.

9) Case No. 13-022-R, Richard Banti, 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 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 to reinstate Mr. Banti’s pistol permit.

*Col. Overturf left the meeting at 4:10pm.

10) Case No. 13-095-R, Jerry DeJesus, 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 unanimous decision, 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. DeJesus’s pistol permit, at this time.

11) Case No. 13-011-R, Patrick DeFillipo, involving the revocation of his pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. Attorney Paul Guzmato represented the appellant. Sgt. Paolo D’Alessandro represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Reuben F. Bradford, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his appeal.

**Chairman Corradino left the meeting at 4:42pm. Attorney Fishbein served as Acting Chairman.

12) Case No. 13-083-R, Ralph Pierre, 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 overturn the decision of the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Reuben F. Bradford, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. Greer voted for the Issuing Authority. Fishbein, Knapp and Tramadeo voted for the appellant, Mr. Pierre, to be reinstated his pistol permit.

13) Case No. 13-138-D, Christopher L. Tavino, involving the denial of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Lt. Merrick represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief Alan D. Baker, Danbury Police Department.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the local Issuing Authority, Chief Alan D. Baker, Danbury Police Department, the revocation of Mr. Tavino’s pistol permit, at this time.

14) Case No. 13-057-D, Jason Giordano, involving the denial of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. A representative from the local Issuing Authority appeared on behalf of Chief J. Darren Stewart, Stonington Police Department.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the local Issuing Authority, Chief J. Darren Stewart, Stonington Police Department, by default, the denial of a temporary pistol permit, due to the appellant’s failure to appear.

15) Case No. 13-220-D, Thomas Payne, involving the denial of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Training Officer Marcus Jacobowski represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief Christopher Edson, Naugatuck Police Department.

Decision: By a majority, the Board voted to overturn the decision of the local Issuing Authority, Chief Christopher Edson, Naugatuck Police Department. Greer voted for the local Issuing Authority. Fishbein, Knapp and Tramadeo voted for the appellant, Mr. Payne to be issued his temporary pistol permit.

16) Case No. 13-223-D, Charles Arrasate, II, involving the denial of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Capt. Lawrence Tarra represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief Chris Arciero, Canton Police Department.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to overturn the decision of the local Issuing Authority, Chief Chris Arciero, Canton Police Department, and voted for Mr. Arrasate, to be issued a temporary pistol permit.

17) Case No. 13-111-D, Simon Nieves, involving the denial of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Attorney Susan Gruen represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief Thomas Wydra, Hamden Police Department, with two witnesses.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the local Issuing Authority, Chief Thomas Wydra, Hamden Police Department, the denial of a temporary pistol permit.

Secretary’s Report:

1) Approval of March 1, 2013 Minutes. Secretary Knapp made a motion to table to April 11, 2013, Tramadeo seconded the motion, motion carried.

Old Business: letter to the State Legislature. Knapp made a motion to reject the proposed letter, Greer seconded the motion. Motion carried by majority. Knapp, Greer, and Tramadeo voted for the motion. Fishbein voted against the motion.

New Business: The members discussed reasons for the sub-committee to meet.

Adjournment: Knapp made a motion to adjourn, Fishbein seconded the motion, motion carried.