DRAFT MINUTES

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS

Thursday, July 14, 2016, 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 Blando read the Introductory Statement and called the roll call. Six appellants were present and 2 failed to appear. The State Issuing Authority and five local Issuing Authorities were present.

Board Members Present: Chairman Frank P. Blando, Esq., Secretary Craig C. Fishbein*, Esq., Dr. Charles Dike, James A. Greer, Esq., Ms. Gudrun Johnson, Mr. M. Peter Kuck, Col. Kyle Overturf and Chief Carl Rosensweig.

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

Hearings: Eight cases were heard in the following order:

1) Case No. 15-059-R, involving the revocation of his 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 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 appellant’s State pistol permit.

2) Case No. 16-214-CD, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. Pesce represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief James Rovella, Hartford Police Department.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the local Issuing Authority, Chief James Rovella, Hartford Police Department, the denial of a temporary pistol permit.

*Board Member Fishbein arrived at 11:12am after the first two cases were heard.

3) Case No. 15-062-R, involving the revocation of his 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, by default, due to the appellant’s failure to appear. Board Member Kuck seconded the motion, motion carried unanimously.

4) Case No. 15-212-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. A representative appeared for the local Issuing Authority, Chief Lisa Marzo-Bolduc, Willimantic Police Department.

Motion: Board Member Fishbein made a motion to find for the local Issuing Authority, by default, due to the appellant’s failure to appear. Board Member Greer seconded the motion, motion carried unanimously.

5) Case No. 15-140-R, involving the revocation of his 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 with one witness.

Decision: By a majority, 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 appellant’s State pistol permit. Board Member Kuck voted for the appellant. Board Members Blando, Dike, Fishbein, Greer, Johnson, Overturf and Rosensweig voted for the Issuing Authority.

6) Case No. 15-105-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. Attorney Ralph D. Sherman represented the appellant. Lt. Willi Pedemonti represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief Carl Sferrazza, Enfield Police Department.

Motion: Board Member Fishbein made a motion to find for the appellant. Board Member Kuck seconded the motion. Board Member Overturf voted against the motion. Board Members Blando, Dike, Fishbein, Greer, Johnson, Kuck and Rosensweig in favor of the motion. Motion carried by a majority, 7-1.

7) Case No. 14-473-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. Attorney Jonathan J. Klein represented the appellant. Deputy Chief Christopher Lyddy represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief Gary MacNamara, Fairfield Police Department. 

Motion: Board Member Fishbein made a motion to find for the appellant due to the local Issuing Authority’s lack of evidence. Board Member Kuck seconded the motion. Board Members Greer and Johnson voted against the motion. Board Members Blando, Dike, Fishbein, Kuck, Overturf and Rosensweig voted in favor of the motion. Motion carried by a majority, 6-2.

8) Case No. 14-516-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. Attorney Ralph D. Sherman represented the appellant. First Selectman Robert R. Morra appeared as the local Issuing Authority for the Town of Bolton.

Continued: Board Member Fishbein made a motion to continue the case to Oct. 13, 2016, Board Member Kuck seconded the motion, motion carried unanimously. The local Issuing Authority, First Selectman Morra was instructed to bring information from Special Licensing and Firearms Unit regarding a possible risk warrant and information regarding the previous revocation. The information should be sent to the Boards office and the appellant’s attorney no later than the last week in September.

Secretary’s Report:

Secretary Fishbein made a motion to accept the June 23, 2016 minutes as written, Board Member Kuck seconded the motion, motion carried. Board Members Dike and Johnson abstained.

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