Office of Governmental Accountability Board of Firearms Permit Examiners

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MINUTES

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS

Thursday, May 19, 2022, 10am at the

DESPP, 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.  Eight appellants were present, one appellant failed to appear. Four local Issuing Authorities were present along with the State.

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

Board Members Absent: Anthony Iaconis, Esq.

Chairman Frank P. Blando administered the oath to all witnesses.

Hearings: Nine cases were heard in the following order:

1) Case No. 22-729-SD, involving the state denial of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. Rachel Baird, Esq. represented the appellant who was unable to make the hearing due to sickness.  DESPP Staff Attorney Kate Ayers represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner James C. Rovella, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Continued: This case has been continued to July 7, 2022

2) Case No. 21-633-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Sgt. Kenneth Keroack represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Fernando Spagnolo, Waterbury Police Department.

Withdrew: The appellant withdrew his case. 

3) Case No. 20-191-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, Esq. 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 to uphold the decision of the State Issuing Authority, the revocation of the pistol permit. Board Secretary Futtner, Dr. Conrad, Ms. Johnson, Col. Lewis and Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the State Issuing Authority. Chairman Blando and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the appellant. Vote was 5-2 in favor of the State Issuing Authority.

4) Case No. 21-076-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Lt. Matthew Riendeau represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Robert Kalamaras, Fairfield Police Department.

Withdrew: The appellant withdrew his case. 

5) Case No. 21-554-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Nicholas Valinsky, Esq. with one witness.  Capt. Jeff DePerry represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Michael Spera, Old Saybrook Police Department with one witness.

Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Old Saybrook to issue the permit.  Chairman Blando, Dr. Conrad, Col. Lewis and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the appellant.  Board Secretary Futtner, Ms. Johnson and Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Vote was 4-3 in favor of the appellant.

6) Case No. 20-034-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear.  DESPP Attorney Matt Reed represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner James C. Rovella, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection with one witness.

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

7) Case No. 20-496-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  DESPP Attorney Matt Reed 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.

8) Case No. 21-655-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Dep. Chief Christopher Davis represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Nicholas Boulter, Simsbury 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.

9) Case No. 20-414-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, Esq. represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner James C. Rovella, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection with one witness.

Continuance: This case has been continued to October 6, 2022

 

Secretary’s Report:

Board Secretary Futtner made a motion to accept the minutes from April 7, 2022, seconded by Atty. Sanetti, motion carried. Col. Lewis and Ms. Johnson abstained from the vote.

Board Secretary Futtner made a motion to accept the minutes from May 5, 2022, seconded by Chief Rosensweig, motion carried. Col. Lewis abstained from the vote.

 

New Business:

 

Notification to Local Issuing Authority about the changes to C.G.S. 29-28(b)

 

Adjournment: Board Secretary Futtner made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Ms. Johnson, motion carried. Meeting ended at 1:15pm.