MINUTES
OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY
BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS
Thursday, February 2, 2023, 10am
Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection
1111 Country Club Rd., Middletown, CT 06457
Call to Order
Acting Chairman Futtner read the Introductory Statement and called the roll call at 10:30. Due to a quorum issue we paused the hearing until our fifth Board member arrived.
Acting Chairman Carolyn Futtner called the meeting to order at 10:45am.
Ten appellants were present, three appellants failed to appear. Seven Local Issuing Authorities were present along with the State, one Local Issuing Authority failed to appear.
Board Members Present: Acting Chairman Carolyn Futtner, Esq., Dr. Cynthia Conrad, Col. Chris Lewis, Chief Carl Rosensweig, and Stephen Sanetti, Esq.
Board Members Absent: Anthony Iaconis, Esq., Gudrun Johnson.
Hearings: Thirteen cases were heard in the following order:
1) Case No. 21-695-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Chief James Canon represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief James Canon, Suffield Police Department.
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 Col. Lewis, motion passed unanimously.
2) Case No. 21-472-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Chief John Puglisi represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief John Puglisi, Brookfield Police Department.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Brookfield to issue the permit. Vote was 5-0 in favor of the appellant.
3) Case No. 21-376-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by John C. Drapp III, Esq. DESPP Legal Director Cynthia Isales 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.
4) Case No. 20-658-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman, Esq. DESPP Legal Staff Attorney Matthew Reed represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner James C. Rovella, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew with an agreement with DESPP.
5) Case No. 21-273-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Legal Director Cynthia Isales represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner James C. Rovella, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
Motion: Board member Atty. 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. 22-012-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf. No one represented the Local Issuing Authority, Acting Chief Kevin Kinahan, Winchester Police Department.
Continuance: This case has been continued to March 9, 2023.
7) Case No. 21-799-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Dep. Chief Donald Olson represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Scott Samson, East Hartford Police Department.
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 Col. Lewis, motion passed unanimously.
8) Case No. 22-050-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman, Esq. Det. Jon Femia represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Roberto Rosado, Meriden Police Department with four witnesses.
Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the Local Issuing Authority, the denial of the pistol permit. Dr. Conrad, Col. Lewis, Chief Rosensweig and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Acting Chairman Futtner voted in favor of the Appellant. Vote was 4-1 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.
9) Case No. 22-043-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman, Esq. Dep. Chief Donald Olson represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Scott Samson, East Hartford Police Department.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered East Hartford to issue the permit. Vote was 5-0 in favor of the appellant.
10) Case No. 22-070-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf. Det. Jon Femia represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Roberto Rosado, Meriden Police Department with one witness.
Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew, moved to New Britain.
11) Case No. 21-900-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman, Esq. with one witness. Resident Tpr. Duffy represented the Local Issuing Authority, First Selectman Ed Chmielewski, Town of Salem.
Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the Local Issuing Authority, the denial of the pistol permit. Acting Chairman Futtner, Col. Lewis, Chief Rosensweig and voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Dr. Conrad and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Appellant. Vote was 3-2 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.
12) Case No. 21-433-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. DESPP Legal Director Cynthia Isales represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner James C. Rovella, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. Vote was 5-0 in favor of the State Issuing Authority.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the State Issuing Authority, the revocation of the pistol permit.
13) Case No. 21-222-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. DESPP Legal Director Cynthia Isales 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 19, 2023, seconded by Col. Lewis. motion carried. Vote 4-0-1 to approve, Atty. Sanetti abstained.
Old Business:
New Business:
Adjournment: Board member Dr. Conrad made a motion to adjourn seconded by Board member Col. Lewis, motion carried. Meeting ended at 4:24pm.