October 23 2014 minutes a

PLEASE CONTACT THE BOARD IMMEDIATELY IF YOUR PERMIT WAS ISSUED OR REINSTATED PRIOR TO YOUR HEARING. THIS WILL REDUCE THE BACKLOG.

October 23, 2014 minutes a

MINUTES

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS

Thursday, October 23, 2014, 10am at the

Wethersfield Police Dept., Wethersfield, CT 06109

Call to Order

Chairman Frank P. Blando, called the meeting to order at 10:00am.

Chairman Frank P. Blando, read the Introductory Statement and called the roll call. Seven appellants were present and two absent. The State Issuing Authority was present and five local Issuing Authorities were present.

Board Members Present: Chairman Frank P. Blando, Esq., Secretary Craig C. Fishbein, Esq.*, Dr. S. David Bernstein*, James A. Greer, Esq., Ms. Gudrun Johnson*, Mr. M. Peter Kuck, Col. Kyle Overturf and Chief Carl Rosensweig.

Chairman Frank P. Blando administered the oath to all witnesses.

Hearings:

1) Case No. 13-715-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Chief James Heavey appeared as the local Issuing Authority from the Greenwich Police Department.

Ruling: Board Member Kuck asked for a ruling, if an appellant has been convicted in another State for similar conduct that happened in Connecticut, would that conviction be considered an automatic disqualifier. Chairman Blando ruled that it would not be an automatic disqualifier.

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

2) Case No. 13-706-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Lt. Thomas Duncin represented the local Issuing Authority, First Selectman Richard L. Shuck of the Town of Stafford Springs.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to overturn the decision of the local Issuing Authority, First Selectman Richard L. Shuck of the Town of Stafford Springs and ordered a temporary pistol permit to be issued.

3) Case No. 14-225-R, 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 Dora B. Schriro, 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 Dora B. Schriro, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, due to the appellant’s failure to appear.

4) Case No. 14-221-R, 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 Dora B. Schriro, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

5) Case No. 14-002-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Lt. Emerman represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief Brent Larabee, East Haven Police Department with one witness.

Motion: Board Member Bernstein made a motion to continue the case to the December 11, 2014 meeting in Wethersfield. Board Member Kuck seconded the motion, motion carried unanimously.

6) Case No. 14-338-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Chief James Keeny, the local Issuing Authority, appeared on behalf of the Vernon Police Department with one witness.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the local Issuing Authority, Chief James Keeny, Vernon Police Department, the denial of the appellant’s pistol permit, at this time.

7) Case No. 14-052-SD, involving a State denial of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. Attorney Ralph D. Sherman represented the appellant with one witness. Sgt. Paolo D’Alessandro represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Dora B. Schriro, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection with three witnesses.

8) Case No. 14-041-R, involving the revocation of his pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. Attorney James A. Saraceni represented the appellant. Sgt. Paolo D’Alessandro represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Dora B. Schriro, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Decision: By a majority, the Board voted to overturn the decision of the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Dora B. Schriro, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and ordered the pistol permit be reinstated to the appellant. Board Members Greer and Rosensweig voted for the State Issuing Authority. Board Members Bernstein, Blando, Fishbein, Johnson, Kuck and Overturf voted for the appellant.

9) Case No. 15-048-CD, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. Attorney Mark A. Balaban represented the appellant. Attorney Kori Wisneski represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief William McKenna, Middletown Police Department. Five witnesses from the Middletown Police Department were called to testify.

* Board Members Bernstein, Fishbein and Johnson left the meeting prior to this hearing.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the local Issuing Authority, Chief William McKenna, Middletown Police Department, the denial of the appellant’s pistol permit.

Secretary’s Report:

Board Member Overturf made a motion to accept the October 9, 2014 minutes as written, Kuck seconded the motion, motion carried.

Adjournment: Overturf made a motion to adjourn, Kuck seconded the motion, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:45pm.

Office of Governmental Accountability Board of Firearms Permit Examiners

October 23, 2014 minutes a