Office of Governmental Accountability Board of Firearms Permit Examiners

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November 1, 2013 Minutes

                                                              
                                                                         MINUTES

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS

Friday, November 1, 2013, 12:00pm at the

Wethersfield Police Department, Wethersfield, CT

Call to Order

Chairman Frank P. Blando, Esq. called the meeting to order at 12:00pm.

Chairman Blando handed in his resignation as the Secretary of the Board.

Chairman Blando called for a nomination for a new Secretary of the Board.

Member Kuck nominated Craig C. Fishbein, Esq. to be Secretary, Chief Rosensweig seconded the nomination, motion carried unanimously.

Chairman Blando swore-in the new Board member, Ms. Gudrun Johnson, a representative of the Commissioner of the Dept. of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Board Members Present: Chairman Frank P. Blando, Esq., Secretary Craig C. Fishbein, Esq., Dr. S. David Bernstein, Attorney James Greer, Ms. Gudrun Johnson, Mr. M. Peter Kuck, and Chief Carl Rosensweig.

Board Members Absent: Col. Kyle Overturf

Chairman Blando read the Introductory Statement.

Chairman Blando called the roster; 10 appellants and local Issuing Authority representatives were present.

Chairman Blando administered the oath to all witnesses.

Hearings:

1) Case No. 13-497-D, Paul Bussolotta, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Christine Abikoff represented the local Issuing Authority, First Selectman Ralph Fletcher, Town of Ashford.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his appeal due to a disqualifier and will apply for a pardon.

2) Case No. 13-328-D, Kelvin O. Johnson, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. Kim Nikola represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief Joseph Gaudett, Bridgeport Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his appeal.

3) Case No. 13-712-D, Michael Maniscalco, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Attorney James Skelly represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief William Gagliardi, New Britain Police Department, with one witness.

Decision: By a majority, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the local Issuing Authority, Chief William Gagliardi, New Britain Police Department, the denial of a temporary pistol permit. Bernstein, Fishbein, and Kuck voted for the appellant. Blando, Greer, Johnson and Rosensweig voted for the Issuing Authority.

4) Case No. 13-356-D, Kenneth J. Lomme, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. Attorney Robert C. Pinciaro represented the appellant. Officer Joseph T. DeStefano represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief Keith Mello, Milford Police Department.

Decision: By a majority, the Board voted to overturn the decision of the local Issuing Authority, Chief Keith Mello, Milford Police Department. Rosensweig voted for the local Issuing Authority. Bernstein, Blando, Fishbein, Greer, Johnson and Kuck voted for the appellant, Mr. Lomme, to be issued a temporary pistol permit.

5) Case No. 13-125-D, David Feige, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Officer Joseph T. DeStefano represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief Keith Mello, Milford Police Department.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the local Issuing Authority, Chief Keith Mello, Milford Police Department, denial of a temporary pistol permit by default.

6) Case No. 13-486-D, Samantha D. Glacy, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf. Lt. Brian Merrick represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief Alan Baker, Danbury Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew her appeal.

7) Case No. 13-258-D, Dawn McKenna, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf. Sgt. Michael Kot represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief Alan Baker, Danbury Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew her appeal.

8) Case No. 13-498-CD, Jeffrey D. Roux, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. Michael Kot represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief James Rovella, Hartford Police Department. Member Peter Kuck recused himself from the hearing.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his appeal.

9) Case No. 13-520-CD, Michael J. Sansabrino, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. Attorney Raymond Kotulski represented the appellant. Chief James Cetran, Wethersfield Police Department, represented the local Issuing Authority.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the local Issuing Authority, Chief James Cetran, Wethersfield Police Department, to deny Sansabrino a temporary pistol permit.

10) Case No. 13-568-CD, James Ford, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Chief James L. Campbell, Jr., Thomaston Police Department, represented the local Issuing Authority.

Decision: By a majority, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the local Issuing Authority, Chief James L. Campbell, Jr., Thomaston Police Department, to deny a temporary pistol permit. Kuck voted for the appellant. Bernstein, Blando, Fishbein, Greer, Johnson and Rosensweig voted for the Issuing Authority.

Secretary’s Report:

Secretary Fishbein called for a motion to approve the October 24, 2013 minutes. Greer made a motion to accept the minutes, Kuck seconded the motion, motion carried.

New Business: The Board members discussed the draft 2014 meeting schedule and locations. The Board members voted for the approval of the schedule, with the back-up dates only in the months of February and March. Secretary Fishbein made a motion to accept the 2014 schedule with the location for Nov. 13th to be determined with a new start time of 10am. Kuck seconded the motion, motion carried. (New schedule attached.)

Adjournment: Chairman Blando made a motion to adjourn, Fishbein seconded the motion, motion carried. Meeting adjourned 5:20pm.