DRAFT MINUTES

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS

Thursday, February 25, 2016, 10am at the

6 Fairfield Boulevard, Wallingford, CT 06492

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.  Thirteen appellants were present and three failed to appear. The State Issuing Authority and twelve local Issuing Authorities were present.

Board Members Present: Chairman Frank P. Blando, Esq., Secretary Craig C. Fishbein, Esq., Ms. Gudrun Johnson, Col. Kyle Overturf and Chief Carl Rosensweig.

Board Members Absent: Dr. Charles Dike, James A. Greer, Esq. and Mr. M. Peter Kuck

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

Hearings: Sixteen cases were heard in the following order:

1) Case No. 15-084-D,  involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. A representative appeared for the local Issuing Authority, Chief John Daly, Southington Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his appeal and the representative for the local Issuing Authority, Chief John Daly, Southington Police Department, agreed to issue the permit in two weeks. Should the appellant not receive his permit within two weeks, he is to call the Board’s office and be added to the next meeting’s agenda.

2) Case No. 14-552-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. A representative appeared for the local Issuing Authority, Chief Stephen Clark, Newington Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his appeal.

3) Case No. 15-011-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Capt. Brian Wright appeared for the local Issuing Authority, Chief Margaret Ackley, New London Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his appeal.

4) Case No. 15-091-SD, involving the denial of a State pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. Alex Giannone represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Dora B. Schriro, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his appeal.

5) Case No. 15-133-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Deputy Chief Cappiello and Ofc. Anthony Popolizio appeared for the local Issuing Authority, Chief Thomas Wydra, Hamden Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his appeal.

6) Case No. 15-113-SD, involving the denial of his State pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. Attorney Alex A Rimer represented the appellant. Sgt. Alex Giannone represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Dora B. Schriro, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Motion: Board Member Fishbein made a motion to uphold the decision of the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Dora B. Schriro, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, the denial of the State pistol permit based upon the automatic disqualifier conviction described in Sec. § 21a-279(c). Motion was seconded by Board Member Rosensweig, motion carried unanimously.

7) Case No. 15-092-D,  involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf. Det. Lazzara represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief John Salvatore, Monroe Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew her appeal.

8) Case No. 14-587-R,  involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Sgt. Alex Giannone represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Dora B. Schriro, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

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

9) Case No. 15-107-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Sgt. Alex Giannone represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Dora B. Schriro, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

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

10) Case No. 14-565-D, involving the denial of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. A representative appeared for the local Issuing Authority, Chief Thomas Wydra, Hamden Police Department.

Motion: Board Member Fishbein made a motion to find for the local Issuing Authority, Chief Thomas Wydra, Hamden Police Department due to the appellant’s failure to appear. Motion seconded by Board Member Johnson, motion carried unanimously.

11) Case No. 15-089-D,  involving the denial of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Det. Spellman represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief Paul Hammick, Bloomfield Police Department.

Motion: Board Member Fishbein made a motion to find for the appellant, Board Member Rosensweig seconded the motion, motion carried unanimously.

12) Case No. 15-124-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Lt. Sam Sheehan and Records Supervisor Mark Edwards represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief Peter Ingvertsen, Simsbury Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his appeal.

13) Case No. 15-098-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Ofc. Salmeron represented the local Issuing Chief Dean Esserman, New Haven Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his appeal.

14) Case No.  14-456-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Ofc. Salmeron represented the local Issuing Chief Dean Esserman, New Haven Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his appeal.

15) Case No.  15-495-CD, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. Attorney Ralph Sherman represented the appellant. Det. Dane Semper represented the local Issuing Chief William McKenna, Middletown Police Department.

Rescheduled: Board Member Rosensweig offered to recuse himself because he knew the Det. Semper, representing the local issuing authority, for many years. The appellant’s attorney agreed he would prefer the Board Member Rosensweig recused himself from the case. As a result there wasn’t enough Board Members to have a quorum. The case was rescheduled. 

16) Case No. 15-064-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Officer First Class Whitehead represented the local Issuing Chief Brett Mahoney, Waterford Police Department.

Motion: Board Member Fishbein made a motion to find for the appellant, Board Member Overturf seconded the motion, motion carried unanimously.

Secretary’s Report:

1)     Board Secretary Fishbein made a motion to accept the January 28, 2016 minutes with corrections and revisions, Board Member Overturf seconded the motion, motion carried. Ms. Johnson abstained.

Adjournment: Board Member Fishbein made a motion to adjourn, Board Member Johnson seconded the motion, motion carried.