MINUTES

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS

Thursday, September 11, 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 were absent. The State Issuing Authority was present and three 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.

Chairman Blando noted that today was the Anniversary of September 11, a very sad day in our history and asked for everyone to stand for a moment of silence in remembrance of the victims of 9-11.

Hearings:

1) Case No. 14-158-LR, involving the local revocation of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Commander Roberto Rinaldi represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief Michael Metzler, Seymour Police Department.

Decision: By a majority, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the local Issuing Authority, Chief Michael Metzler, Seymour Police Department, the revocation of a temporary pistol permit at this time. Kuck voted for the appellant. Bernstein, Blando, Fishbein, Greer, Johnson, Overturf and Rosensweig voted for the local Issuing Authority.

2) Case No. 14-199-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear.  Lt. Heather Desmond represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief William McKenna, Middletown Police Department.

Motion: Fishbein made a motion to find in favor of the local Issuing Authority, Chief William McKenna, Middletown Police Department, due to the appellant’s failure to appear. Kuck seconded the motion, motion passed unanimously.

3) Case No. 14-636-D, 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 William McKenna, Middletown Police Department.

Motion: Fishbein made a motion to table the case and to continue at the Sept. 25, 2014 meeting for the purpose of allowing the witness to seek legal counsel with regard to his testimony. Greer seconded the motion, motion carried unanimously.

4) Case No. 13-517-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. Attorney James A. Welcome represented the appellant.  A representative appeared for the local Issuing Authority, Chief Vernon Riddick, Waterbury Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his appeal. Fishbein made a motion to accept the withdrawal, Kuck seconded the motion, motion carried.

5) Case No. 14-167-R, involving the revocation of her pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf with one witness. Sgt. Paolo D’Alessandro represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Dora B. Schriro, 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 Dora B. Schriro, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and ordered the State permit to be reinstated.

6) Case No.  13-673-R, involving the revocation of his pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf with two witnesses. Sgt. Paolo D’Alessandro represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Dora B. Schriro, 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 Dora B. Schriro, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, the revocation of the pistol permit.

7) Case No. 14-160-R, 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 Dora B. Schriro, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection with one witness.

Agreement: The State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Dora B. Schriro, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and the appellant agreed that the pistol permit would be reinstated on March 11, 2015, 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 at that time.

8) Case No. 14-181-R, involving the revocation of his pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. Atty. Jonathan R. Chappell represented the appellant. Sgt. Paolo D’Alessandro represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Dora B. Schriro, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his appeal.

Secretary’s Report:

Blando called for a motion to accept the August 14, 2014 minutes as written, Greer made the motion, Kuck seconded the motion, motion carried.

Adjournment: Fishbein made a motion to adjourn, Kuck seconded the motion, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:15pm.