MINUTES
OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY
BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS
Thursday, March 3, 2022, 10am
TEAMS 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. Six Local Issuing Authorities were present and the State Issuing Authority were present.
Board Members Present: Chairman Frank P. Blando, Esq., Secretary Carolyn Futtner Esq., Anthony Iaconis, Esq., Gudrun Johnson, Chief Carl Rosensweig and Stephen Sanetti, Esq.
Board Members Absent: Dr. Cynthia Conrad, MD and Chris Lewis
Chairman Frank P. Blando administered the oath to all witnesses individually.
Hearings: Nine cases were heard in the following order:
1) Case No. 20-223-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her 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 his pistol permit.
2) Case No. 20-263-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear due to technical difficulty. 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 has been continued to May 5, 2022.
3) Case No. 21-318-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.
Withdrew: The appellant has withdrawn her case as she has moved to a different town.
4) Case No. 21-424-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Det. Joseph Legen represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Joseph McNeil, Stratford 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.
5) Case No. 21-304-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was representative by Ralph D. Sherman, Esq. .with one witness. Trp. Kevin Ekland represented the Local Issuing Authority, Town Manager, Lisa Hancock, Town of Tolland.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Tolland to issue the permit.
6) Case No. 21-342-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.
Withdrew: The appellant has withdrawn his case as he has moved to a different town.
7) Case No. 20-293-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Legal Staff Attorney Kate Ayers 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 Board Member Johnson, motion passed unanimously.
8) Case No. 21-459-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was representative by Ralph D. Sherman, Esq. with one witness. Det. Joseph Legen represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Joseph McNeil, Stratford Police Department.
Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant. Chairman Blando, Atty. Iaconis, Ms. Johnson, Chief Rosensweig and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the appellant. Atty. Futtner, in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Vote was 5-1 in favor of the appellant and ordered Stratford to issue the permit.
9) Case No. 20-624-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf with one witness. Sgt. Christopher Vaillancourt represented the Local Issuing Authority, Town of Montville, Dept of Police Services.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the Local Issuing Authority, the denial of the pistol permit.
Secretary’s Report: Board member Atty. Sanetti made a motion to accept the minutes from February 17, 2022, seconded by Ms. Johnson, motion carried. Atty. Iaconis abstained.
New Business: Agreed to start back in-person hearings starting April 7, 2022
Adjournment: Board member Atty. Iaconis made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Board Secretary Futtner, motion carried. Meeting ended at 12:45pm.