OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS

Thursday, May 16, 2019 10am at the

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, two appellants failed to appear and one case was resolved the day before the hearing. 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., Chief Carl Rosensweig and Dr. William Sledge.

Board Members Absent: Gudrun Johnson.   Mr. M. Peter Kuck (arrived later in the hearing)

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

Hearings: Fourteen cases were heard in the following order:

1) Case No. 19-403-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.

Withdraw: The appellant withdrew his case.

2) Case No. 19-067-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Det. Simonson appeared for the local Issuing Authority, Chief Jeffry Cossette, Meriden Police Department.

Withdraw: The appellant withdrew his case.

3) Case No. 19-105-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Det. Lyman appeared for the local Issuing Authority, Chief Tim Shaw, Easton 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.

4) Case No. 18-261-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 James C. Rovella, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Motion: Secretary Col. Overturf made a motion for the State Issuing Authority, by default, due to the appellant failing to appear. Motion was seconded by Board Member Dr. Sledge, motion passed unanimously.

5) Case No. 19-107-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear.  Sgt. Kenneth Keroack represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief Fernando Spagnolo, Waterbury Police Department.

Motion: Secretary Col. Overturf made a motion for the State Issuing Authority, by default, due to the appellant failing to appear. Motion was seconded by Chief Rosensweig, motion passed unanimously.

6) Case No. 18-167-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Det. Michael Evangelisti represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner James C. Rovella, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Motion: Secretary Col. Overturf made a motion for the State Issuing Authority, by default, due to the appellant failing to appear. Motion was seconded by Chief Rosensweig, motion passed unanimously.

7) Case No. 19-089-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  No one represented the local Issuing Authority, Town Manager Andrew Tierney, Town of Hebron.

Motion: Secretary Col. Overturf made a motion for the Appellant, by default, due to the Local Issuing Authority failing to appear. Motion was seconded by Chief Rosensweig, motion passed unanimously.

8) Case No. 17-723-D, involving the court remanded hearing of a denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman, Esq. Alfred P. Bruno, Esq. represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief Joseph McNeil, Stratford Police Department with one witness.

Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted 4-1 in favor of the appellant and ordered the local Issuing Authority to issue the temporary pistol permit. Chairman Blando and Secretary Col. Overturf, Atty. Futtner, Dr. Sledge voted in favor of the appellant.  Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.

9) Case No. 19-056-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Frank Teodosio, Esq. was present for the local Issuing Authority, Chief Shawn Sequeira, Shelton 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.

12:30 pm, Board Member Peter Kuck arrived at the hearing.

10) Case No. 19-536-CD, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf. Officer Scott Shumway appeared for the local Issuing Authority, Chief Otoniel Reyes, New Haven Police Department.

Motion: Board Member Kuck made a motion for the Appellant, due to the Local Issuing Authority having no evidence of a denial letter and no record. Motion was seconded by Secretary Col. Overturf, motion passed unanimously.

11) Case No. 19-182-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. Anthony Gomes appeared for the local Issuing Authority, Chief Patrick Daley, Norwich Police Department.

Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted 4-2 in favor of the appellant and ordered the local Issuing Authority to issue the temporary pistol permit. Chairman Blando, Secretary Col. Overturf, Board member Kuck, and Dr. Sledge voted in favor of the appellant.  Atty. Futtner and Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. 

1:30 pm Attorney Carolyn Futtner left the hearing.

12) Case No. 19-043-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman, Esq. Det. Joseph Legen appeared for the local Issuing Authority, Chief Joseph McNeil, Stratford Police Department.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the Appellant and ordered Stratford to issue the temporary permit.

13) Case No. 19-155-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. Anthony Gomes appeared for the local Issuing Authority, Chief Patrick Daley, Norwich 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.

14) Case No. 19-091-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman, Esq. Officer Anthony Popolizio represented the local Issuing Authority, Acting Chief John Cappiello, Hamden 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.

Secretary’s Report:

Board Secretary Overturf made a motion to accept the minutes from April 25, 2019, seconded by Dr. Sledge, motion carried. 

Adjournment: Board member Kuck made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Board Secretary Overturf, motion carried. Meeting ended at 3:15pm.