MINUTES
OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY
BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS
Thursday, August 1, 2019, 10am
Wethersfield Police Department, 250 Silas Deane Hwy.
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. Twelve appellants were present, one appellant failed to appear. The State Issuing Authority and ten local Issuing Authorities were present.
Board Members Present: Chairman Frank P. Blando, Esq., Secretary Col. Kyle Overturf, Carolyn Futtner Esq., Anthony Iaconis, Esq., Gudrun Johnson and Chief Carl Rosensweig.
Board Members Absent: Dr. Cynthia Conrad and Mr. M. Peter Kuck
Chairman Frank P. Blando administered the oath to all witnesses.
Hearings: Thirteen cases were heard in the following order:
1) Case No. 19-380-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Det. James Thurston represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Paul Hammick, Bloomfield Police Department.
Motion: Chief Carl Rosensweig made a motion for the Local Issuing Authority, due to the fact the appellant had a pistol permit disqualifier. Motion was seconded by Board Member Johnson, motion passed unanimously.
2) Case No. 18-387-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. Alex Giannone represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner James C. Rovella, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.
3) Case No. 18-408-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. Alex Giannone represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner James C. Rovella, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.
4) Case No. 18-290-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. Alex Giannone represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner James C. Rovella, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.
5) Case No. 18-548-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant would be represented by Atty. Ralph D. Sherman but the appellant failed to appear due to child care issues. Ofc. Earl Baidy was present for the local Issuing Authority, Chief Eric Osanitsch, Windsor Locks Police Department.
Continuance: Case has been continued to September 19, 2019.
6) Case No. 19-292-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Det. Daniel Knapp was present for the local Issuing Authority, First Selectman Susan Bransfield, Town of Portland.
Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.
7) Case No. 19-430-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Atty. Ralph D. Sherman with 1 witness. Lt. Arthur Weisgerber was present for the local Issuing Authority, Chief Thomas Kulhawik, Norwalk Police Department.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the Local Issuing Authority, the denial of the pistol permit at this time. Ms. Johnson recused herself in this case.
8) Case No. 18-530-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf. Det. Michael Panton appeared for the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Joesph McNeil, Stratford Police Department.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Stratford to issue the permit.
11:55am: Board member Gudrun Johnson leaves the hearing.
9) Case No. 19-269-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Atty. Ralph D. Sherman. Sgt. Earl Wheeler was present for the local Issuing Authority, Chief Spencer Cerruto, New Milford Police Department.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered New Milford to issue the permit.
10) Case No. 19-306-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Det. Joseph Legen appeared for the local Issuing Authority, Chief Joseph McNeil, Stratford Police Department.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the Local Issuing Authority, the denial of the pistol permit.
11) Case No. 19-418-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Atty. Ralph D. Sherman. Ofc. Scott Shumway appeared for the local Issuing Authority, Chief Otoniel Reyes, New Haven Police Department.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered New Haven to issue the permit.
12) Case No. 19-308-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Dep. Chief Paul Gately appeared for the local Issuing Authority, Chief Louis Fusaro, Town of Groton Police Department with one witness.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the Local Issuing Authority, the denial of the pistol permit.
13) Case No. 19-346-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Atty. Ralph D. Sherman with 2 witnesses. Det. Sgt. Adam Marcus appeared for the local Issuing Authority, Chief Patrick Ridenhour, Danbury Police Department.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Danbury to issue the permit.
Secretary’s Report:
Board Secretary Col. Overturf made a motion to approve the minutes from July 11, 2019, seconded by Atty. Iaconis, motion carried.
New Business:
Adjournment: Board Secretary Col. Overturf made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Board member Atty. Iaconis, motion carried. Meeting ended at 2:20pm.