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 27, 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 10:10am.

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

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

Board Members Absent: Gudrun Johnson

Chairman Carolyn Futtner administered the oath to all witnesses individually.

Hearings: Ten cases were heard in the following order:

1) Case No. 21-739-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was allowed to withdraw prior to hearing. 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.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case prior to the hearing.

2) Case No. 21-737-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was allowed to withdraw prior to hearing. 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.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew her case prior to the hearing.

3) Case No. 22-227-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf.  Chief Jeffery Kreitz represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Jeffery Kreitz, Ridgefield 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, Dr. Conrad, Col. Lewis, Col. Overturf, Chief Rosensweig and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.  Mr. Gray voted in favor of the Appellant. Vote was 6-1 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.

4) Case No. 21-862-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman. Det. John Femia represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Roberto Rosado, Meriden Police Department with 4 witnesses.

Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Meriden to issue the permit.  Chairman Futtner, Dr. Conrad, Mr. Gray, Col. Overturf and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Appellant.  Col. Lewis and Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Vote was 5-2 in favor of the appellant.

5) Case No. 22-185-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear.  Lt. Matthew Solak represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Paul Hussey, Willimantic Police Department.

Motion: Board Secretary Col. Overturf made a motion for the Local Issuing Authority, by default, due to the appellant failing to appear, motion was seconded by Col. Lewis, motion passed unanimously.

6) Case No. 22-183-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Chief James Canon represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief James Canon, Suffield Police Department.

Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Suffield to issue the permit.  Chairman Futtner, Dr. Conrad, Mr. Gray, Col. Lewis, and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Appellant.  Col. Overturf and Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Vote was 5-2 in favor of the appellant.

7) Case No. 22-350-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by James D. Hirschfield, Esq. with one witness. Sgt. William Bernabucci represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief William Baldwin, Torrington Police Department.

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

8) Case No. 21-670-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. DESPP Legal Staff Attorney 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.

9) Case No. 22-090-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Det. Kevin Conard represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Joshua Berneffer, Watertown Police Department.

Motion: Motion made by Chief Rosensweig to find for the Local Issuing Authority due to incomplete application, seconded by Col. Overturf. After the roll call the motion failed 4-3.

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

10) Case No. 22-208-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Det. Jason Aklin represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Joseph Perno, West Haven Police Department.

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

 

Secretary’s Report:

Board member Atty. Sanetti made a motion to accept the minutes from April 13, 2023, seconded by Dr. Conrad. motion carried. Vote 6-0 to approve, Col. Lewis abstained.

 

Old Business: None

 

New Business: New location for May 11, 2023 due to construction at DESPP.

 

Adjournment: Board member Atty. Sanetti made a motion to adjourn seconded by Dr. Conrad, motion carried. Meeting ended at 2:35pm.