MINUTES
OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY
BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS
Thursday, July 7, 2022, 10am
Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection
1111 Country Club Rd., Middletown, CT 06457
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. Eleven appellants were present, two appellants failed to appear. Five local Issuing Authorities were present along with the State.
Board Members Present: Chairman Frank P. Blando, Esq., Secretary Carolyn Futtner Esq., Gudrun Johnson, Chief Carl Rosensweig, and Stephen Sanetti, Esq.
Board Members Absent: Dr. Cynthia Conrad, Anthony Iaconis, Esq., and Col. Chris Lewis
Chairman Frank P. Blando administered the oath to all witnesses.
Hearings: Thirteen cases were heard in the following order:
1) Case No. 20-522-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear but phoned in for a continuance. Legal Staff Attorney Kate Ayers has no objection. DESPP Legal Staff Attorney Kate Ayers represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner James C. Rovella, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
Continuance: This case was continued to 10/20/2022.
2) Case No. 20-328-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear due to the State asking for a continuance. DESPP Legal Staff Attorney Colin Milne represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner James C. Rovella, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
Continuance: This case was continued to 9/1/2022.
3) Case No. 21-540-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf. Det. Jason Aklin represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Joseph Perno, West Haven Police Department.
Withdrawn: The appellant withdrew her case.
4) Case No. 20-547-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. DESPP Legal Staff Attorney Kate Ayers 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.
5) Case No. 20-454-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Legal Staff Attorney Colin Milne represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner James C. Rovella, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
Motion: Board member Johnson 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.
6) Case No. 20-330-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Legal Staff Attorney Colin Milne represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner James C. Rovella, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
Motion: Board member Johnson 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.
7) Case No. 22-421-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf with one witness. Chief Krasicky represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Karen Krasicky, Plymouth 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. 20-380-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. DESPP Legal Staff Attorney Kate Ayers represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner James C. Rovella, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection with two witnesses.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the State Issuing Authority, the revocation of the pistol permit.
9) Case No. 21-696-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Cpt. James DePietro represented the Local Issuing Authority Chief Vincent DeMaio. Clinton Police Department.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Clinton to issue the permit.
10) Case No. 20-568-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. DESPP Legal Staff Attorney Kate Ayers 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 in favor of the appellant. Chairman Blando, Secretary Futtner, and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the appellant. Ms. Johnson and Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Issuing Authority. Vote was 3-2 in favor of the appellant.
11) Case No. 21-806-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. Baboolal represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Erik Costa, Middletown Police Department.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Middletown to issue the permit.
12) Case No. 21-788-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. Baboolal represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Erik Costa, Middletown Police Department.
Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the Local Issuing Authority. Chairman Blando and Ms. Johnson voted in favor of the appellant. Secretary Futtner, Chief Rosensweig and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Vote was 3-2 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.
13) Case No. 20-494-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf with one witness. DESPP Legal Staff Attorney Colon Milne 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.
Secretary’s Report:
Board member Atty. Sanetti made a motion to accept the minutes from June 23, 2022, seconded by Board member Johnson, motion carried. Chairman Blando abstained.
Old Business:
New Business: Discussion of media interest in the Board’s backlog. Quick talk of the Supreme Court’s decision about the new NY gun laws.
Chairman Frank Blando announced his resignation at the end of the hearing, stating that this was his last hearing.
Adjournment: Board member Johnson made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Board member Sanetti, motion carried. Meeting ended at 2:15pm.