DRAFT MINUTES

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS

Thursday, April 23, 2015, 10am at the

Wethersfield Police Dept., Wethersfield, CT 06109

Call to Order

Chairman Frank P. Blando, called the meeting to order at 10:05am.

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

Board Members Present: Chairman Frank P. Blando, Esq., Secretary Craig C. Fishbein*, Esq., James A. Greer, Esq., Mr. M. Peter Kuck and Chief Carl Rosensweig.

Board Members Absent: Ms. Gudrun Johnson and Col. Kyle Overturf.

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

Hearings: 9 cases were heard in the following order:

1) Case No.14-343-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.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his appeal due to a pending case.

2) Case No. 14-288-D,  involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. Attorney Ralph D. Sherman represented the appellant. Det. Therinna represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief Patrick Ridenhour, Stratford Police Department.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the local Issuing Authority, Chief Patrick Ridenhour, Stratford Police Department, the denial of a pistol permit.

3) Case No. 15-216-D,  involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. Attorney Ralph D. Sherman represented the appellant. Attorney Mary Bartholic represented the local Issuing Authority, First Selectman Wade Cole, Town of Hartland, who also testified. 

Decision: By a majority, the Board voted to overturn the decision of the local Issuing Authority, First Selectman Wade Cole, Town of Hartland and ordered a temporary pistol permit to be issued. Board member Greer voted for the local Issuing Authority. Board members Blando, Fishbein, Kuck and Rosensweig voted for the appellant.

4) Case No. 15-276-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.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his appeal due to pending court case.

5) Case No. 14-359-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. Attorney Ralph D. Sherman represented the appellant. Det. Theriana represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief Patick Ridenhour, Stratford Police Department.

Agreement: The appellant agreed to withdraw his appeal and reapply for a permit, this time disclosing his arrest history. Should the local Issuing Authority, Chief Patick Ridenhour, Stratford Police Department, deny the permit, the appellant will appeal again and the case will be scheduled with an expedited hearing date.

6) Case No. 13-325-R,  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 Dora B. Schriro, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Decision: By a majority, 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. Board member Kuck voted for the appellant. Board members Blando, Fishbein, Greer, and Rosensweig voted for the State Issuing Authority.

7) Case No. 14-332-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. A representative appeared for the local Issuing Authority, Chief Jeffry Cossette, Meriden Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew because he moved and will reapply in his new town.

*Board member Fishbein left at 4:30.

8) Case No. 13-607-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 two witnesses.

Case continued: Board members Kuck and Greer expressed concern for the lack of supporting documents. Kuck made a motion to continue the case, Greer seconded the motion, motion carried. The case is continued until Sept. 10, 2015 so that the State Issuing Authority will bring more supporting documents or evidence.

9) Case No. 13-023-R,  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 Dora B. Schriro, 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 Dora B. Schriro, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, the revocation of the pistol permit. Board member Kuck voted for the appellant. Board members Blando, Greer, and Rosensweig voted for the State Issuing Authority.

Secretary’s Report:

Kuck made a motion to accept the April 9, 2015 minutes as written, Greer seconded the motion, motion carried.

Adjournment: Kuck made a motion to adjourn, Greer seconded the motion, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:02pm.