MINUTES
OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY
BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS
Thursday, February 3, 2022, 10am
TEAMS Virtual Hearing
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. Three appellants were present, one appellant failed to appear. Four local Issuing Authorities were present.
Board Members Present: Chairman Frank P. Blando, Esq., Secretary Carolyn Futtner Esq., Dr. Cynthia Conrad, Anthony Iaconis, Esq., Col. Chris Lewis, Chief Carl Rosensweig and Stephen Sanetti, Esq.
Board Members Absent: Gudrun Johnson
Chairman Frank P. Blando administered the oath to all witnesses individually.
Hearings: Seven cases were heard in the following order:
1) Case No. 20-259-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. DESPP Legal Staff Attorney Kate Ayers 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 his pistol permit.
2) Case No. 21-257-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf. Cpl. Byron Smith represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Edward DeMarco, East Windsor Police Department.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered East Windsor to issue the pistol permit.
3) Case No. 20-237-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. DESPP Legal Staff Attorney Kate Ayers represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner James C. Rovella, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection with one witness.
Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the State Issuing Authority, the revocation of the pistol permit. Secretary Atty. Futtner, Dr. Conrad, Atty. Ioconis, Col. Lewis and Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the State Issuing Authority. Chairman Atty. Blando and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Appellant. Vote was 4-2 in favor of the State Issuing Authority.
4) Case No. 21-414-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. Kenneth Keroack represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Fernando Spagnolo, Waterbury Police Department with one witness.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the Local Issuing Authority, the denial of the pistol permit at this time.
5) Case No. 21-493-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf. Sgt. Kenneth Keroack represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Fernando Spagnolo, Waterbury Police Department with one witness.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the Local Issuing Authority, the denial of the pistol permit at this time.
6) Case No. 21-571-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Det. Leopold Clarke represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Justin Thody, Hartford Police Department.
Continuance: This case has been continued to April 21, 2022.
7) Case No. 20-218-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. DESPP Legal Staff Attorney Kate Ayers 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 his pistol permit.
Secretary’s Report:
Board member Dr. Conrad made a motion to accept the minutes from January 20, 2022, seconded by Chief Rosensweig, motion carried. Chairman Blando and Stephen Sanetti abstained.
New Business:
Chairman Blando expressed he would like to wait until the first hearing in April to go back to in-person hearings.
Board discussed the new Amendment to CGS 29-28(b) and what it means to the Board going forward.
Adjournment: Board member Atty. Sanetti made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Col. Lewis, motion carried. Meeting ended at 2:20pm.