Office of Governmental Accountability Board of Firearms Permit Examiners

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MINUTES

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS

Thursday, April 13, 2023, 10am

Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection

1111 Country Club Rd., Middletown, CT 06457

 

 

Call to Order

Chairman Carolyn Futtner called the meeting to order at 10:00am.

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

Board Members Present: Chairman Carolyn Futtner, Esq., Dr. Cynthia Conrad, Elbert Gray, Gudrun Johnson, Col. Overturf, Chief Carl Rosensweig, and Stephen Sanetti, Esq.

Board Members Absent: Col. Chris Lewis

Chairman Carolyn Futtner administered the oath to all witnesses.

Hearings: Nine cases were heard in the following order:

1) Case No. 22-187-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Sgt. Elias Martz represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Erik Costa, Middletown Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

2) Case No. 22-148-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.

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

3) Case No. 22-172-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Patrick A. Cosgrove, Esq.  Chief Neil Dryfe represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Neil Dryfe, Cheshire Police Department.

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

4) Case No. 23-035-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Pasquale M. Salvatore, Esq. DESPP Legal Director Cynthia Isales, 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. Vote was 7-0 in favor of the State Issuing Authority.

5) Case No. 22-136-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. Michael Sigrist represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Roderick Porter, Bridgeport Police Department with one witness.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case, appellant moved.

6) Case No. 21-450-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by David J. Cutillo, Esq.   DESPP Legal Director Cynthia Isales, 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. Vote was 7-0 in favor of the State Issuing Authority.

7) Case No. 21-351-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Legal Director Cynthia Isales, represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner James C. Rovella, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Motion: Board member Col. Overturf 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.

8) Case No. 21-666-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 with one witness.

Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the Local Issuing Authority, the denial of the pistol permit. Chairman Futtner, Ms. Johnson, Elbert Gray, Col Overturf, Chief Rosensweig and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.  Dr. Conrad voted in favor of the Appellant. Vote was 6-1 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.

9) Case No. 21-698-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, 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. Chairman Futtner, Ms. Johnson, Elbert Gray, Col Overturf, Chief Rosensweig and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.  Dr. Conrad voted in favor of the Appellant. Vote was 6-1 in favor of the State Issuing Authority.

Secretary’s Report:

Board member Chief Rosensweig made a motion to accept the minutes from March 23, 2023, seconded by Mr. Gray motion carried. Dr. Conrad and Ms. Johnson abstained. Vote 5-0-2 to approve.

 

Old Business: None

 

New Business: None

 

Adjournment: Board member Johnson made a motion to adjourn seconded by Board Secretary Overturf, motion carried. Meeting ended at 12:59pm.