MINUTES
OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY
BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS
Thursday, November 4, 2021 10am
TEAMS VIRTUAL HEARING
Call to Order
Chairman Frank P. Blando called the meeting to order at 10:10am.
Chairman Blando read the Introductory Statement and called the roll call. Three appellants were present, one appellant failed to appear. Four local Issuing Authorities were present.
Board Members Present: Chairman Frank P. Blando, Esq., Secretary Carolyn Futtner Esq., Dr. Cynthia Conrad, Anthony Iaconis, Esq., Gudrun Johnson, Col. Chris Lewis, Chief Carl Rosensweig and Stephen Sanetti, Esq.
Board Members Absent: None
Chairman Frank P. Blando administered the oath to the interpreter for Case No. 21-038-D first, and then to all cases individually.
Hearings: Fifteen 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 with an interpreter, Keith Vinci. Master Sgt. Al Gosselin represented the Local Issuing Authority, Town of Montville, Department of Police Services.
Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the Local Issuing Authority, the denial of the pistol permit. Chairman Blando, Secretary Futtner, Dr. Conrad, Atty. Ioconis, Ms. Johnson, Col. Lewis and Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Appellant. Vote was 7-1 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.
2) Case No. 20-076-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf. Legal Affairs Director Cynthia Isales represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner James C. Rovella, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection with one witness.
Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew her case.
3) Case No. 20-082-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf. Legal Affairs Director Cynthia Isales 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. 20-086-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Legal Affairs Director Cynthia Isales represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner James C. Rovella, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
Motion: Board member Chief Rosensweig made a motion for the State Issuing Authority, by default, due to the appellant failing to appear. Motion was seconded by Ms. Johnson, motion passed unanimously.
5) Case No. 21-345-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Chief James Heavey represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief James Heavey, Greenwich Police Department.
Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case, Greenwich will issue the permit.
6) Case No. 19-739-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear Legal Affairs Director Cynthia Isales represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner James C. Rovella, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection with four witnesses.
Motion: Board member Dr. Conrad made a motion for the State Issuing Authority, by default, due to the appellant failing to appear. Motion was seconded by Ms. Johnson, motion passed unanimously.
7) Case No. 21-395-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Ofc. Catherine Griffin represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Chris Ciuci, Berlin Police Department.
Motion: Board member Chief Rosensweig made a motion for the Local Issuing Authority, by default, due to the appellant failing to appear. Motion was seconded by Atty. Sanetti, motion passed unanimously.
8) Case No. 19-739-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf but due to technical issues was unable to join the hearing. Legal Affairs Director Cynthia Isales represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner James C. Rovella, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
Continued: This case was continued to in-person.
9) Case No. 20-667-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman, Esq. with one witness. Master Sgt. Al Gosselin represented the Local Issuing Authority, Town of Montville, Department of Police Services with two witnesses.
Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the Local Issuing Authority, the denial of the pistol permit. Chairman Blando, Secretary Futtner, Atty. Ioconis, Ms. Johnson, Col. Lewis, Chief Rosensweig and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority at this time. Dr. Conrad voted in favor of the Appellant. Vote was 7-1 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.
10) Case No. 21-309-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf but due to technical issues was unable to join the hearing. Ofc. Catherine Griffin represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Chris Ciuci, Berlin Police Department.
Continued: This case was continued 12/9/2021.
11) Case No. 19-676-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Marc N. Needelman, Esq. Legal Affairs Director Cynthia Isales 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.
12) Case No. 21-295-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Lt. Brian Weir represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Michael Lombardo, Trumbull 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.
13) Case No. 19-594-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by William J. Ryan, Jr. Esq. Legal Affairs Director Cynthia Isales represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner James C. Rovella, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection with two witnesses.
Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant. Chairman Blando, Dr. Conrad, Atty. Ioconis, Col. Lewis, and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Appellant. Secretary Futtner, Ms. Johnson, and Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the State Issuing Authority. Vote was 5-3 in favor of the Appellant.
14) Case No. 21-223-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Det. Mark Williams represented 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.
15) Case No. 19-478-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf. Legal Affairs Director Cynthia Isales represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner James C. Rovella, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the State Issuing Authority, the revocation of the pistol permit at this time.
Secretary’s Report:
Dr. Conrad made a motion to accept the minutes from October 21, 2021, seconded by Atty. Sanetti, motion carried. Ms. Johnson, Col. Lewis and Chief Rosensweig abstained.
New Business:
The Board voted to approve the 2022 hearing schedule.
The Board made the decision to go back to in-person hearings starting December 9, 2021.
Adjournment:
Board member Johnson made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Atty. Sanetti, motion carried. Meeting ended at 3:05pm.