Office of Governmental Accountability Board of Firearms Permit Examiners

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MINUTES

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS

Thursday, October 7, 2021, 10am

TEAMS VIRTUAL HEARING

 

 

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.  Ten appellants were present, one appellant failed to appear. Seven local Issuing Authorities were present along with the State Issuing Authority.  One Local Authority failed to appear. 

Board Members Present: Chairman Frank P. Blando, Esq., Secretary Carolyn Futtner Esq., Dr. Cynthia Conrad, Anthony Iaconis, Esq., Gudrun Johnson, Col. Chris Lewis and Stephen Sanetti, Esq.

Board Members Absent: Chief Carl Rosensweig

Chairman Frank P. Blando administered the oath to all witnesses at the time of their case.

Hearings: Eleven cases were heard in the following order:

A discussion about objected case 21-677-D.  The Chairman overruled the objection.

1) Case No. 19-635-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. DESPP Legal 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.

2) Case No. 21-226-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf with one witness. First Selectman Barbara Perkinson represented the Local Issuing Authority, Town of Woodbury.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Woodbury to issue the permit. 

3) Case No. 21-227-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Craig C. Fishbein, Esq. First Selectman, Jay Swan represented the Local Issuing Authority, First Selectman, Jay Swan, Town of Woodstock.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Woodstock to issue the permit. 

 

4) Case No. 21-364-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  First Selectman, Jay Swan represented the Local Issuing Authority, First Selectman, Jay Swan, Town of Woodstock.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the Local Issuing Authority, the denial of the pistol permit.

5) Case No. 20-586-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Chief Christopher Ferace represented the Local Issuing Authority, Putnam Police Department.

Motion: Board member Ms. Johnson made a motion for the Local Issuing Authority, by default, due to the appellant failing to appear. Motion was seconded by Atty. Iaconis, motion passed unanimously.

 

Board Secretary Carolyn Futtner left the hearing

6) Case No. 21-039-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Pat Labbadia, Esq. No one appeared for the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Michael Spera, Old Saybrook Police Department.

Motion: Board member Ms. Johnson made a motion for the Appellant, by default, due to the Local Issuing Authority, Old Saybrook failing to appear. Motion was seconded by Col. Lewis, motion passed unanimously.

7) Case No. 21-677-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Craig C. Fishbein. Det. Angelo Stavrides represented the Local Issuing Authority Chief Roberto Rosado, Meriden Police Department.

Continued: This case was continued to November 18, 2021 looking for more documentation. 

8-9) Case No. 19-458-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Robert J. T. Britt, Esq. DESPP Legal Director Cynthia Isales represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner James C. Rovella, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection with one witness.

Recessed: Due to unseen letter from the appellant, the Office Manager forwarded the entire packet to DESPP for review. The Board have moved on to the next case.

8) Case No. 21-270-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Tpr. Kevin Eklund represented the Local Issuing Authority, Town Manager Michael Rosen, Town of Tolland.

Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Chairman Blando, Dr. Conrad, Atty. Iaconis, Col. Lewis and Atty. Sanetti voted for the Local Issuing Authority.  Ms. Johnson voted in favor of the Appellant.  Vote was 5-1 in favor of the Issuing Authority.

9) Case No. 19-458-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Robert J. T. Britt, Esq.  DESPP Legal 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 his case, the State will reinstate.

10) Case No. 21-549-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Timothy P. Gunning, Esq. Det. Angelo Stavrides represented the Local Issuing Authority Chief Roberto Rosado, Meriden Police Department.

Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Chairman Blando, Dr. Conrad, Ms. Johnson and Col. Lewis voted for the Local Issuing Authority. Atty. Iaconis and Atty. Sanetti, voted in favor of the Appellant.  Vote was 4-2 in favor of the Issuing Authority.

11) Case No. 19-720-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. DESPP Legal 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 State Issuing Authority. Chairman Blando, Dr. Conrad, Ms. Johnson Atty. Iaconis and Atty. Sanetti voted for the State Issuing Authority.  Col. Lewis voted in favor of the Appellant.  Vote was 5-1 in favor of the State Issuing Authority.

 

Secretary’s Report:

Board member Dr. Conrad made a motion to accept the minutes from September 16, 2021, seconded by Atty. Iaconis, motion carried. Atty. Sanetti abstained.

 

New Business:

Board approved of the hearings being virtual through November.

 

Adjournment: Board member Dr. Conrad made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Ms. Johnson, motion carried. Meeting ended at 1:45pm.