Office of Governmental Accountability Board of Firearms Permit Examiners

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MINUTES

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS

Thursday, February 17, 2022, 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.  Eight appellants were present, one appellant failed to appear. Seven local Issuing Authorities and the State Issuing Authority were present.

Board Members Present: Chairman Frank P. Blando, Esq., Secretary Carolyn Futtner Esq., Dr. Cynthia Conrad, Gudrun Johnson, Chief Carl Rosensweig and Stephen Sanetti, Esq.

Board Members Absent: Anthony Iaconis, Esq. and Col. Chris Lewis

Chairman Frank P. Blando administered the oath to all appellants and witnesses individually.

Hearings: Nine cases were heard in the following order:

1) Case No. 20-147-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. DESPP Legal Director Attorney Cynthia Isales represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner James C. Rovella, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Continuance: This case has been continued to April 27, 2023.

2) Case No. 21-474-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf.  Acting Chief Jeffrey Spadjinske represented the Local Issuing Authority, Acting Chief Jeffrey Spadjinske, Coventry Police Department.

Decision: By a majority vote, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the Local Issuing Authority, the denial of the pistol permit.  Chairman Blando, Board Secretary Atty. Futtner, Dr. Conrad, Ms. Johnson and Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.  Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Appellant. Vote was 5-1 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.

3) Case No. 21-526-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear.  Chief Marshall Porter represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Marshall Porter, Glastonbury Police Department.

Motion: Chief Rosensweig made a motion for the Local Issuing Authority, by default, due to the appellant failing to appear. Motion was seconded by Board Member Atty. Sanetti, motion passed unanimously.

4) Case No. 21-309-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf.  Ofc. Catherine Griffin represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Matthew McNally, Berlin 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.

5) Case No. 20-150-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was supposed to be represented by Atty. W. Martyn Philpot. Atty. Philpot failed to appear for his client. DESPP Legal Director Attorney Cynthia Isales represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner James C. Rovella, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Continuance: This case has been continued to May 19, 2022 due to the failure of the appellant’s attorney to appear for his client.

6) Case No. 21-456-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Tpr. Wayne Tate represented the Local Issuing Authority, First Selectman Don Lowe, Town of Sherman.

Decision: By a majority vote, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the Local Issuing Authority, the denial of the pistol permit. Board Secretary Atty. Futtner, Dr. Conrad, Ms. Johnson and Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.  Chairman Blando and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Appellant. Vote was 4-2 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.

7) Case No. 21-487-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf.  Lt. George Bryce represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Stephen Pugner, Bethel 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.

8) Case No. 21-491-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf.  Lt. George Bryce represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Stephen Pugner, Bethel 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.

9) Case No. 21-420-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  First Selectman Christopher Lippke represented the Local Issuing Authority, First Selectman Christopher Lippke, Town of Canterbury.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the Appellant and order Canterbury to issue the permit. 

 

Secretary’s Report:

Board member Atty. Sanetti made a motion to accept the minutes from February 3, 2022, seconded by Dr. Conrad, motion carried. Ms. Johnson abstained from the vote.

 

New Business:

 

Adjournment: Board member Dr. Conrad made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Ms. Johnson, motion carried. Meeting ended at 12:05pm.