MINUTES

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS

Thursday, October 9, 2014, 10am at the

Wethersfield Police Dept., Wethersfield, CT 06109

Call to Order

Chairman Frank P. Blando, called the meeting to order at 10:00am.

Chairman Frank P. Blando, read the Introductory Statement and called the roll call. Eight appellants were present and two appellants failed to appear. The State Issuing Authority was present and five local Issuing Authorities were present.

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

Board Members Absent: James A. Greer, Esq.

Chairman Frank P. Blando administered the oath to all witnesses.

Hearings:

1) Case No. 14-203-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Resident State Trooper Kevin A. Seery represented the local Issuing Authority, First Selectman Kevin Lyden, Town of Salem.

Agreement: The appellant agreed to withdraw his appeal and Resident State Trooper Kevin A. Seery representing the local Issuing Authority, First Selectman Kevin Lyden, agreed to issue the permit immediately.

2) Case No. 14-200-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. Attorney Ralph D. Sherman represented the appellant. Attorney Mary E. R. Bartholic represented the local Issuing Authority, First Selectman Wade Cole, Town of East Hartland, with one witness.

Agreement: The appellant agreed to withdraw his appeal and the local Issuing Authority, First Selectman Wade Cole, Town of East Hartland, agreed to accept a new application. Should the appellant be denied, he may appeal again and will be scheduled at top of the Board’s roster.

3) Case No. 14-207-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. A representative of the East Hartford Police Department appeared for the local Issuing Authority, Chief Scott Sansom.

Motion: Board Member Fishbein made a motion in favor of the local Issuing Authority, Chief Scott Sansom, East Hartford Police Department, due to the appellant’s failure to appear. Board Member Kuck seconded the motion, motion carried unanimously.

4) Case No. 14-156-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. Steve Burstein represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief Jeffrey Cossette, Meriden Police Department.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the local Issuing Authority, Chief Jeffrey Cossette, Meriden Police Department, the denial of a pistol permit.

5) Case No. 14-629-CD, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. Attorney Frank Modugno represented the appellant. Det. John Therina represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief Patrick Ridenhour, Stratford Police Department.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to overturn the decision of the local Issuing Authority, Chief Jeffrey Cossette, Meriden Police Department and ordered a temporary pistol permit be issued to the appellant.

6) Case No. 14-036-R, involving the revocation of his pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Sgt. Paolo D’Alessandro represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Dora B. Schriro, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Motion: Board Member Fishbein made a motion in favor of the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Dora B. Schriro, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, due to the appellant’s failure to appear. Board Member Kuck seconded the motion, motion carried unanimously.

7) Case No.  14-014-R, involving the revocation of his pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. Attorney Kenneth Barber represented the appellant with one witness. Sgt. Paolo D’Alessandro represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Dora B. Schriro, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection with one witness.

Decision: By a majority, the Board voted to overturn the decision of the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Dora B. Schriro, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, and ordered the reinstatement of the appellants pistol permit. Board Members Bernstein, Blando, Fishbein, Johnson, Kuck and Overturf voted for the appellant. Board Member Rosensweig voted for the State Issuing Authority.

8) Case No.14-103-R, involving the revocation of his pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. Paolo D’Alessandro represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Dora B. Schriro, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Motion: Board Member Fishbein made a motion to accept the appellant’s request to withdraw his appeal. Board Member Kuck seconded the motion, motion carried unanimously.

9) Case No. 14-078-R, involving the revocation of his pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. Paolo D’Alessandro represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Dora B. Schriro, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Agreement: The appellant agreed to withdraw his appeal and Sgt. Paolo D’Alessandro for the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Dora B. Schriro, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, agreed to issue the state pistol permit on March 26, 2015.

Motion: Board Member Fishbein made a motion to accept the agreement, Board Member Kuck seconded the motion, motion carried unanimously.

10) Case No. 15-001-R, involving the revocation of his pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. Paolo D’Alessandro represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Dora B. Schriro, 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, Commissioner Dora B. Schriro, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, the revocation of the appellants pistol permit, at this time.

Secretary’s Report:

Board Secretary Fishbein made a motion to accept the September 25, 2014 minutes as written, Johnson seconded the motion, motion carried unanimously.

New Business: The Board members discussed the 2015 schedule.

Adjournment: Chairman Blando made a motion to adjourn, Overturf seconded the motion, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 4:30pm.