MINUTES
OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY
BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS
Thursday, February 13, 2020, 10am at the
Wethersfield Police Department, 250 Silas Deane Hwy.
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 call. Ten appellants were present, three appellants failed to appear. The State Issuing Authority and nine Local Issuing Authorities were present and one failed to appear.
Board Members Present: Chairman Frank P. Blando, Esq., Secretary Col. Kyle Overturf, Dr. Cynthia Conrad, Carolyn Futtner Esq., Ms. Gudrun Johnson, Mr. M. Peter Kuck, Chief Carl Rosensweig.
Board Members Absent: Anthony Iaconis, Esq.
Chairman Frank P. Blando administered the oath to all witnesses.
Hearings: Thirteen cases were heard in the following order:
1) Case No. 20-149-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by David C. Yale, Esq. Chief Edward Stephens represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Edward Stephens, Wolcott Police Department with one witness.
Decision: By majority decision, the Board voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Board Chairman Blando, Board Secretary Overturf, Ms. Johnson and Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Board members Dr. Conrad, Attorney Futtner and Mr. Kuck voted in favor of the appellant. Vote was 4-3 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.
2) Case No. 20-180-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. No one was there to represent the Local Issuing Authority, Chief John Salvatore, Monroe Police Department.
Withdrew: The appellant withdrew his case.
3) Case No. 19-157-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Det. Michael Evangelisti represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner James C. Rovella, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
Motion: Board Secretary Overturf made a motion to find for the State Issuing Authority, by default, due to the appellant failing to appear, seconded by Ms. Johnson, motion passed unanimously.
4) Case No. 20-123-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Sgt. Kenneth Keroack was present for the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Fernando Spagnolo, Waterbury Police Department.
Motion: Board Secretary Overturf made a motion to find for the Local Issuing Authority, by default, due to the appellant failing to appear, seconded by Ms. Johnson, motion passed unanimously.
5) Case No. 20-144-R, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. General Counsel Skelly was present for the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Christopher Chute, New Britain Police Department.
Motion: Board Secretary Overturf made a motion to find for the Local Issuing Authority, by default, due to the appellant failing to appear, seconded by Ms. Johnson, motion passed unanimously.
6) Case No. 19-686-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. First Selectman Michael Criss represented the Local Issuing Authority, First Selectman Michael Criss, Town of Harwinton with one witness.
Motion: Board member Kuck made a motion to find for the Local Issuing Authority, due to the appellant filing an improper application, seconded by Dr. Conrad, motion passed unanimously.
7) Case No. 20-008-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman, Esq. Det. Joseph Legen was present for the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Joseph McNeil, Stratford Police Department with one witness.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Stratford to issue the permit.
8) Case No. 19-552-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Det. Joseph Legen was present for the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Joseph McNeil, Stratford Police Department with one witness.
Decision: By majority decision, the Board voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Board Chairman Blando, Board Secretary Overturf, Dr. Conrad, Attorney Futtner and Ms. Johnson voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Chief Rosensweig and Board member Kuck voted in favor of the appellant. Vote was 5-2 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority at this time.
9) Case No. 19-467-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman. Lt. Heather Desmond was present for the local Issuing Authority, Chief William McKenna, Middletown Police Department with one witness.
Decision: By majority decision, the Board voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Board Chairman Blando, Board Secretary Overturf, Attorney Futtner, Ms. Johnson, Mr. Kuck and Chief Rosensweig in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Dr. Conrad voted in favor of the appellant. Vote was 6-1 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority at this time.
10) Case No. 19-130-D, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. Alex Giannone represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner James C. Rovella, 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, the revocation of the pistol permit.
11) Case No. 19-567-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman, Esq. Deputy Chief Kristian Lindstrom appeared for the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Scott Custer, South Windsor Police Department.
Continuance: This case has been continued to April 23, 2020.
12) Case No. 19-734-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. Kenneth Keroack was present for the local Issuing Authority, Chief Fernando Spagnolo, Waterbury Police Department.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the Local Issuing Authority, the denial of the pistol permit.
13) Case No. 19-129-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Det. Michael Evangelisti represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner James C. Rovella, 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, the revocation of the pistol permit.
Secretary’s Report:
Board member Dr. Conrad made a motion to accept the minutes from January 23, 2020, seconded by Mr. Kuck, motion carried. Board Secretary Overturf and Ms. Johnson abstained.
New Business:
Discussion on the audit report.
Adjournment: Board Secretary Overturf made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Board member Dr. Conrad, motion carried. Meeting ended at 3:30pm.