MINUTES (draft)

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS

Thursday, March 26, 2015, 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 Blando read the Introductory Statement and called the roll. Eight appellants were present and one failed to appear. Nine local Issuing Authorities were present.

Board Members Present: Chairman Frank P. Blando, Esq., Secretary Craig C. Fishbein, Esq.*, 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:

Nine cases were heard in the following order:

1) Case No. 14-331-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 with one witness.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to overturn the decision of the local Issuing Authority, Chief William McKenna, Middletown Police Department and ordered a temporary pistol permit to be issued.

*Secretary Fishbein arrived at 10:40am following Case 13-331-D

2) Case No. 13-508-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Officer Christopher Varone represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief Todd Lawrie, Clinton Police Department. 

Decision: By a majority, the Board voted to overturn the decision of the local Issuing Authority, Chief Todd Lawrie, Clinton Police Department and ordered a temporary pistol permit to be issued. Board members Johnson and Rosensweig voted for the local Issuing Authority. Board members Blando, Fishbein, Greer, Kuck and Overturf voted for the appellant.

3) Case No. 14-300-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf. Lt. Heather Desmond represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief William McKenna, Middletown Police Department with one witness.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to overturn the decision of the local Issuing Authority, Chief William McKenna, Middletown Police Department and ordered a temporary pistol permit to be issued.

4) Case No. 13-491-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. Atty. Ralph D. Sherman represented the appellant with one witness. Officer John Giordano represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief Joel Hurliman, Shelton Police Department.

Board member Rosensweig recused himself from the case.

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

5) Case No. 14-349-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf. Sgt. Donald Olson represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief Scott Samson, East Hartford Police Department with one witness.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the local Issuing Authority, Chief Scott Samson, East Hartford Police Department, the denial of a temporary pistol permit, at this time.

6) Case No. 14-256-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Sgt. Donald Olson represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief Scott Samson, East Hartford Police Department.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the local Issuing Authority, Chief Scott Samson, East Hartford Police Department, the denial of a temporary pistol permit, due to the appellant failing to appear.

7) Case No. 14-286-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Det. Sgt. Kenneth Jones represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief Thomas Kiely, Trumbull Police Department.

Decision: By a majority, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the local Issuing Authority, Chief Thomas Kiely, Trumbull Police Department, the denial of a temporary pistol permit. Board member Blando voted for the appellant. Board members Fishbein, Greer, Johnson, Kuck, Overturf and Rosensweig voted for the local Issuing Authority.

8) Case No. 14-321-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf. Det. John Theriana appeared for the local Issuing Authority, Chief Patrick Ridenhour, Stratford Police Department.

Decision: By a majority, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the local Issuing Authority, Chief Patrick Ridenhour, Stratford Police Department, the denial of a temporary pistol permit. Board member Kuck voted for the appellant. Board members Blando, Fishbein, Greer, Johnson, Overturf and Rosensweig voted for the local Issuing Authority.

**Board Member Overturf left at 4:00pm prior to case 14-315-D

9) Case No. 14-315-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Capt. Jeff Golden represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief Carl Sferrazza, Enfield Police Department.

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

Case No. 14-351-D was resolved prior to the hearing.

Secretary’s Report:

Secretary Fishbein called for a motion to accept the March 12, 2015 minutes as written, Johnson made the motion, Greer seconded the motion, motion carried.

Adjournment: Kuck made a motion to adjourn, Fishbein seconded the motion, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 5:10pm.