MINUTES
OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY
BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS
Thursday, January 6, 2022, 10am at the
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. Seven appellants were present, four appellants failed to appear. Five local Issuing Authorities were present along with the State.
Board Members Present: Chairman Frank P. Blando, Esq., Secretary Carolyn Futtner Esq., Dr. Cynthia Conrad, Anthony Iaconis, Esq., and Gudrun Johnson, Col. Chris Lewis, Chief Carl Rosensweig, and Stephen Sanetti, Esq.
Board Members Absent: None
Chairman Frank P. Blando administered the oath to all witnesses individually.
Hearings: Eleven cases were heard in the following order:
1) Case No. 20-197-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf. DESPP Legal Staff Attorney Kate Ayers represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner James C. Rovella, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew her case.
2) Case No. 20-203-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Legal Staff Attorney Kate Ayers represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner James C. Rovella, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.
3) Case No. 20-644-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.
4) Case No. 21-454-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Sgt. Kenneth Keroack represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Fernando Spagnolo, Waterbury Police Department with one witness.
Motion: Board member Chief Rosensweig made a motion for the Local Issuing Authority, by default, due to the appellant failing to appear. Motion was seconded by Ms. Johnson, motion passed unanimously.
5) Case No. 20-214-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Legal Staff Attorney Kate Ayers represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner James C. Rovella, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
Motion: Board member Sanetti made a motion for the State Issuing Authority, by default, due to the appellant failing to appear. Motion was seconded by Dr. Conrad, motion passed unanimously.
6) Case No. 20-178-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Legal Staff Attorney Kate Ayers represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner James C. Rovella, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
Motion: Board member Chief Rosensweig made a motion for the State Issuing Authority, by default, due to the appellant failing to appear. Motion was seconded by Atty. Iaconis, motion passed unanimously.
7) Case No. 20-192-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Legal Staff Attorney Kate Ayers represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner James C. Rovella, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
Motion: Board member Chief Rosensweig made a motion for the State Issuing Authority, by default, due to the appellant failing to appear. Motion was seconded by Ms. Johnson, motion passed unanimously.
8) Case No. 21-404-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. Jeff Gilbert represented the Local Issuing Authority, Director of Police Services James Rio. Avon Police Department.
Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.
9) Case No. 21-462-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. Jeff Gilbert represented the Local Issuing Authority, Director of Police Services James Rio. Avon Police Department.
Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the Local Issuing Authority, the denial of the pistol permit. Chairman Blando, Secretary Futtner, Atty. Ioconis, Ms. Johnson and Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Dr. Conrad, Col. Lewis and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Appellant. Vote was 5-3 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.
10) Case No. 21-299-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Robert F. Cohen, Esq. Sgt. Bernabucci represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief William Baldwin, Torrington 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.
11) Case No. 20-651-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Gregory G. St. John, Esq. 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 the pistol permit.
Secretary’s Report:
Board member Atty. Iaconis made a motion to accept the minutes from December 9, 2021, seconded by Board Secretary Futtner., motion carried. Dr. Conrad, Ms. Johnson and Chief Rosensweig abstained.
Old Business: None
New Business: None
Adjournment: Board member Dr. Conrad made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Board Secretary Futtner, motion carried. Meeting ended at 12:20pm.