Office of Governmental Accountability Board of Firearms Permit Examiners

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MINUTES

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS

Thursday, September 1, 2022, 10am

Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection

1111 Country Club Rd., Middletown, CT 06457

 

 

Call to Order

Acting Chairman Carolyn Futtner called the meeting to order at 10:03am.

Acting Chairman Futtner read the Introductory Statement and called the roll call.  Eight appellants were present, four appellants failed to appear. Five local Issuing Authorities were present along with the State.

Board Members Present: Acting Chairman Carolyn Futtner, Esq., Dr. Cynthia Conrad, Anthony Iaconis, Esq., Gudrun Johnson, Col. Chris Lewis, Chief Carl Rosensweig, and Stephen Sanetti, Esq.

Board Members Absent: None

Acting Chairman Carolyn Futtner administered the oath to all witnesses individually.

Hearings: Eleven cases were heard in the following order:

1) Case No. 21-671-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman.  Det. James Iannucci 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. Vote was 7-0 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.

2) Case No. 20-663-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Legal Staff Attorney Matt Reed 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 Ms. Johnson, motion passed unanimously. Atty Iaconis abstained from the motion.

3) Case No. 21-658-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf..  Det. James Iannucci represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Joseph McNeil, Stratford Police Department.

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

4) Case No. 20-422-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 and ordered the state to reissue.   Dr. Conrad, Atty. Iaconis, Col. Lewis, Chief Rosensweig and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Appellant. Acting Chairman Futtner and Ms. Johnson voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Vote was 5-2 in favor of the appellant.

5) Case No. 20-476-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Legal Staff Attorney Matt Reed represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner James C. Rovella, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection with one witness, if needed.

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

6) Case No. 21-759-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear.  Ofc. Luis Vidal represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Timothy Shaw, Stamford 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. Sanetti, motion passed unanimously

7) Case No. 21-514-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman. Counsel Ken Slater represented the Local Issuing Authority, First Selectman Doug Thompson, Town of Burlington with one witness.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Burlington to issue the permit.  Vote was 7-0 in favor of the appellant.

8) Case No. 20-670-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. DESPP Legal Staff 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.

9) Case No. 21-288-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Det. Lt. Ethan Mable represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Patrick Ridenhour, Danbury Police Department.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Danbury to issue the permit.  Vote was 7-0 in favor of the appellant.

10) Case No. 21-773-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Lt. Stephen Paulson represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Ed. Lennon, East Haven Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case, East Haven will issue.

11) Case No. 21-771-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. Kristopher Matthews represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Gerald Narowski, Derby Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case, Derby will issue.

 

Secretary’s Report:

Board member Atty. Sanetti made a motion to accept the minutes from August 11, 2022, seconded by Atty. Iaconis. motion carried. Ms. Johnson abstained. Vote 6-1 to approve.

 

Old Business: None

 

New Business: Discussed Executive Session and the statute 1-200-(6)

 

Adjournment: Board member Johnson made a motion to adjourn seconded by Board member Atty. Sanetti, motion carried. Meeting ended at 1:36pm.