MINUTES

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS

Thursday, May 9, 2013, 12:00pm at the

Wethersfield Police Department, Wethersfield, CT 06109

Call to Order

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

Chairman Corradino called the roll call. 15 appellants were present and 2 appellants failed to appear.

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

Board Members Present: Chairman Joseph T. Corradino, Esq., Chief T. William Knapp, (Ret.), Attorney Craig Fishbein, Attorney Jay Greer, Mr. M. Peter Kuck, Mr. Kenneth Tramadeo and Col. Kyle Overturf. (Overturf left at 4:25pm*)

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

Secretary T. William Knapp reported that Mansfield Police had issued a permit to Wayne Garret, Case No. 13-224-D, prior to the hearing.

Hearings:

1) Case No. 13-151-R, Henry Acevedo, 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. Kuck voted for the appellant. Corradino, Fishbein, Greer, Knapp and Tramadeo voted for the Issuing Authority, at this time. Overturf recused himself from the decision.

2) Case No. 13-167-D, Shawn Gray, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Lt. Heather Desmond represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief Chief William McKenna, Milford Police Department.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the local Issuing Authority, Chief William McKenna, Milford Police Department, the denial of a temporary pistol permit, at this time.

3) Case No. 13-225-D, Rachel Caliolo, involving the denial of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf. Chief John C. Gavallas, Watertown Police Department was present and represented the local Issuing Authority with four witnesses. 

Continued: By order of the Board continued the case until June 27, 2013.

4) Case No. 13-146-R, Phyllis LaBarge, involving the revocation of her pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her 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 Ms. LaBarge’s pistol permit, at this time.

5) Case No. 13-132-D, Frank Quatrano, Jr., involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Deputy Chief Butler and Officer DeStefano appeared for the local Issuing Authority, Chief Keith Mello, Milford Police Department.

Agreement: Agreement between appellant and Deputy Chief Butler, representative of the local Issuing Authority agreed that the appellant would withdraw his appeal and the local Issuing Authority Chief Mello agreed to issue temporary pistol permit to Mr. Quatrano, Jr. within 30 days or June 8, 2013.

6) Case No. 13-035-R, Stephen Ruttkamp, involving the revocation of his pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. Attorney April Pramer represented the appellant with two witnesses. 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. Ruttkamp’s pistol permit, at this time.

7) Case No. 13-024-R, Eugene Bowman, III, 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.

Motion: A motion to add limitations resulted in a tie vote. Corradino, Fishbein and Greer agreed with limitations. Knapp, Kuck and Tramadeo voted for the appellant without limitations. Tie vote resulted in favor of appellant, therefore 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. Bowman’s pistol permit.

8) Case No. 13-045-R, John Baumber, 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, and voted for Mr. Baumber’s pistol permit to be reinstated. Corradino voted for the appellant with limitations. Greer voted for the State Issuing Authority. Fishbein, Knapp, Kuck and Tramadeo voted for the appellant without limitations.

9) Case No. 13-144-R, Vernon Green, involving the revocation of his 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, the revocation of Mr. Green’s pistol permit, by default, due to his failure to appear.

10) Case No. 13-122-R, Ernso Desert, involving the revocation of his 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, the revocation of Mr. Desert’s pistol permit, by default, due to his failure to appear.

11) Case No. 12-307-R, David Pfotenhauer, involving the revocation of his pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. Attorney Ralph D. Sherman represented the appellant. Sgt. Paolo D’Alessandro represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Reuben F. Bradford, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Agreement: The appellant withdrew his appeal and the State Issuing Authority agreed to reinstate the pistol permit on May 9, 2014, so long as there are no other events that are detrimental to his suitability.

*Col. Overturf left at 4:25pm

12) Case No. 12-232-R, Glenn Pennell, 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.

Motion: Kuck made a motion to issue the permit with a limitation of 6 months. Fishbein seconded the motion. After discussion from members, Fishbein and Kuck withdrew their motions. 

Motion: Fishbein made a motion with limitations, to reinstate Mr. Pennell’s pistol permit in one year on May 9, 2014, on the condition of the current suitability and that he hasn’t committed any offence that violates the criminal law and doesn’t have any statutory disqualifying events and at that time he presents his letter from his neurologist stating that he is seizure free. Corradino and Greer voted for the State Issuing Authority at this time. Fishbein, Knapp, Kuck and Tramadeo voted for the appellant with the motion limitations. Motion carried in favor of the appellant with limitations.

13) Case No. 13-043-R, Mark Minto, involving the revocation of his pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. Attorney Tricia Koosa 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 majority, the Board voted to overturn the decision of the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Reuben F. Bradford, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. Corradino voted for the Issuing Authority, at this time. Fishbein, Greer, Knapp, Kuck and Tramadeo voted for the appellant, Mr. Minto, to be reinstated his pistol permit.

14) Case No. 13-180-D, Brandon Soto, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Det. Plasczynski represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief Eric Osanitsch, Bristol Police Department.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the local Issuing Authority, Chief Eric Osanitsch, Bristol Police Department, the denial of a temporary pistol permit, at this time.

15) Case No. 13-222-D, Erin Sweeney, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf. Officer Burns represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief Paul D. Fitzgerald, Berlin Police Department, with two witnesses.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the local Issuing Authority, Chief Paul D. Fitzgerald, Berlin Police Department, the denial of a temporary pistol permit, at this time.

16) Case No. 13-454-D, Sean Paddock, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. Attorney Craig Lovely represented the appellant. Lt. John Varone represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief Michael Crowley, Groton Town Police Department.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to overturn the decision of the local Issuing Authority, Chief Michael Crowley, Groton Town Police Department, and voted for the appellant, Mr. Paddock, to be issued a temporary pistol permit.

17) Case No. 13-119-R, Brian Myer, involving the revocation of his pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. Attorney Peter W. Soulsby 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 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 the Mr. Myer’s pistol permit, at this time. Fishbein voted for the appellant. Corradino, Greer, Knapp, Kuck and Tramadeo voted for the State Issuing Authority, at this time.

Secretary’s Report:

1)     Corradino made a motion to Approve the April 11, 2013 minutes, Tramadeo seconded the motion, motion carried.

2)     Corradino made a motion to Approve the April 25, 2013 minutes, Tramadeo seconded the motion, motion carried.

Old Business:

New Business:

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