Office of Governmental Accountability Board of Firearms Permit Examiners

PLEASE CONTACT THE BOARD IMMEDIATELY IF YOUR PERMIT WAS ISSUED OR REINSTATED PRIOR TO YOUR HEARING. THIS WILL REDUCE THE BACKLOG.

MINUTES

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS

Thursday, July 22, 2021, 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 10:10am.

Chairman Blando swore in new Board member Stephen Sanetti, Ye Connecticut Gun Guild.

Chairman Blando read the Introductory Statement and called the roll call.  Nine appellants were present. Six Local Issuing Authorities and the State were present.

Board Members Present: Chairman Frank P. Blando, Esq., Board Secretary Carolyn Futtner, Esq., Col. Chris Lewis, Stephen Sanetti, Esq. 

Gudrun Johnson joined the hearing remotely. 

Board Members Absent: Dr. Cynthia Conrad, MD Anthony Iaconis Esq., and Chief Carl Rosensweig

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

 

Hearings: Nine cases were heard in the following order:

1) Case No. 21-038-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Sgt. Albert Gosselin represented the Local Issuing Authority, Resident State Trp. for the Town of Montville. 

Continuance: This case has been continued until September 2, 2021.

2) Case No. 21-131-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Ofc. Scott LeSage represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Michael Spellman, Groton City Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case, Groton City will issue.

3) Case No. 20-132-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Atty. Rachel Baird, Esq.  Trp. Kevin Eklund represented the Local Issuing Authority, Town Manager Michael Rosen, Town of Tolland.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

4) Case No. 19-565-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.   Det. Michael Evangelisti represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner James C. Rovella, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection with one witness.

Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the State Issuing Authority, the revocation of his pistol permit. Secretary Futtner, Ms. Johnson, and Col. Lewis voted in favor of the State Issuing Authority. Chairman Blando and Board member Sanetti voted in favor of the Appellant. Vote was 3-2 in favor of the State Issuing Authority.

5) Case No. 19-555-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.   Det. Michael Evangelisti represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner James C. Rovella, 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, the revocation of the pistol permit.

6) Case No. 21-130-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf.  Counsel Joseph Skelly, represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Christopher Chute, New Britain 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.

7) Case No. 19-610-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.   Det. Michael Evangelisti represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner James C. Rovella, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection with one witness.

Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the State Issuing Authority, the revocation of his pistol permit. Chairman Blando, Secretary Futtner, Ms. Johnson, and Col. Lewis voted in favor of the State Issuing Authority. Board member Sanetti voted in favor of the Appellant. Vote was 4-1 in favor of the State Issuing Authority at this time.

8) Case No. 21-169-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf.  Det. Joseph Legen represented 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 permit. Vote was 5-0 in favor of the appellant.

9) Case No. 21-109-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Sgt. Albert Gosselin represented the Local Issuing Authority, Resident State Trp. for the Town of Montville. 

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Stratford to issue the permit. Vote was 5-0 in favor of the appellant.

 

Secretary’s Report:

Board member Col. Lewis made a motion to accept the minutes from July 8, 2021, seconded by Board Secretary Futtner, motion carried. Atty. Sanetti abstained.

 

New Business:

 

Discussed the mask requirement - we will continue requesting mask wearing for now.

 

Board member Chairman Blando asked Office Manager to set up a TEAMS public meeting for a discussion about like laws in other states.  

 

Adjournment: Board Secretary Futtner made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Board member Col. Lewis, motion carried. Meeting ended at 12:40pm.