MINUTES

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS

Thursday, August 17, 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 10:04am.

Chairman Futtner read the Introductory Statement and called the roll call.  Three Appellants were present, two Appellants failed to appear. Two Local Issuing Authorities were present along with the State. One Local Issuing Authority failed to appear.

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

Board Members Absent: Col. Chris Lewis

Chairman Carolyn Futtner administered the oath to all witnesses.

Hearings: Five cases were heard in the following order:

1) Case No. 21-725-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The Appellant appeared on his own behalf.  DESPP, Sergeant Brianna Maurice represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner James C. Rovella, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Withdrawal:  The Appellant withdrew his appeal.

2) Case No. 22-477-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The Appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Det. Robert Malinowski represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Rafael Medina, Wethersfield Police Department.

Motion: Board member Det. Johnson made a motion for the Appellant, due to the lack of evidence, motion was seconded by Mr. Gray. After a brief discussion, the motion was withdrawn to finish hearing the case. 

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

3) Case No. 22-164-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The Appellant failed to appear.  DESPP, Sergeant Brianna Maurice 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 Det. Johnson, motion passed unanimously.

4) Case No. 22-237-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The Appellant was represented by Atty. Ralph D. Sherman. Sgt. Michael Sigrist represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Roderick Porter, Bridgeport Police Department with one witness.

Motion: Board member Det. Johnson made a motion for the Appellant, due to the Local Issuing Authority having no proof of unsuitability. Motion was seconded by Col. Overturf. Motion passed by majority. Chairman Futtner, Mr. Gray, Det. Johnson, Col. Overturf, and Atty. Sanetti voted for the motion, Dr. Conrad and Chief Rosensweig voted against the motion. Vote was 5-2 by motion for the Appellant.

5) Case No. 22-337-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The Appellant failed to appear.  No one was there to represent the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Fernando Spagnolo, Waterbury Police Department.

Motion: Board member Dr. Conrad made a motion for the Local Issuing Authority, by default, due to the Appellant failing to appear. Motion was seconded by Chief Rosensweig.  The Local Issuing Authority also fail to appear. Due to the pending felony charges, the motion passed by majority vote. Chairman Futtner, Det. Johnson, and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the motion. Col. Overturf and Chief Rosensweig voted against the motion and Mr. Gray abstained from the vote.  Vote was 4-2-1 for the Appellant.  

Secretary’s Report:

Board member Mr. Gray made a motion to accept the minutes from July 27, 2023, seconded by Atty. Sanetti. motion carried. Ms. Johnson abstained. Vote 6-0-1 to approve.

Old Business: None

New Business: None

Adjournment: Board Secretary Col. Overturf made a motion to adjourn seconded by Board member Det. Johnson, motion carried. Meeting ended at 11:25am

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