MINUTES
OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY
BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS
Thursday, July 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 10:05am.
Chairman Futtner read the Introductory Statement and called the roll call. Nine appellants were present, one appellant failed to appear. Six local Issuing Authorities were present along with the State.
Board Members Present: Chairman Carolyn Futtner, Esq., Dr. Cynthia Conrad, Elbert Gray, Col. Kyle Overturf, Chief Carl Rosensweig, and Stephen Sanetti, Esq.
Board Members Absent: Col. Chris Lewis and Gudrun Johnson
Chairman Carolyn Futtner administered the oath to all witnesses.
Hearings: Ten cases were heard in the following order:
1) Case No. 21-413-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. DESPP Legal Staff 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 in favor of the State Issuing Authority. Chairman Futtner, Col. Overturf, Chief Rosensweig and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the State Issuing Authority. Mr. Gray voted in favor of the Appellant. Dr. Conrad recused herself from the vote. Vote was 4-1-1.
2) Case No. 20-147-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.
Motion: Board Secretary Col. Overturf made a motion for the State Issuing Authority, due to the court ruling that the appellant cannot possess firearms during his open case. Motion was seconded by Mr. Gray, motion passed unanimously. Vote was 6-0 for the State Issuing Authority.
3) Case No. 22-308-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 with one witness.
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 6-0 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.
4) Case No. 22-019-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Legal Staff Attorney Colin Milne represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner James C. Rovella, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection with one witness.
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 Chief Rosensweig, motion passed unanimously.
5) Case No. 22-450-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Dep. Chief Donald Olsen represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Scott Samson, East Hartford Police Department.
Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.
6) Case No. 22-359-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf. Lt. Matthew Solak represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Paul Hussey, Willimantic Police Department.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Willimantic to issue the permit. Vote was 6-0 in favor of the appellant.
7) Case No. 21-786-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 majority decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered the state to reissue. Dr. Conrad, Mr. Gray, Col. Overturf, and Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Appellant. Chairman Futtner and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the State Issuing Authority. Vote was 4-2 in favor of the appellant.
8) Case No. 22-411-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 Bernegger, Watertown 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 6-0 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.
9) Case No. 22-422-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 Bernegger, Watertown Police Department.
Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case, Watertown will issue.
10) Case No. 22-027-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 Bernegger, Watertown Police Department.
Motion: Board Secretary Col. Overturf made a motion for the appellant due to the Local Issuing Authority finding him suitable. Motion was seconded by Atty. Sanetti, motion passed unanimously. Vote was 6-0 in favor of the motion for the appellant.
Secretary’s Report:
Board member Atty. Sanetti made a motion to accept the minutes from July 13, 2023, seconded by Dr. Conrad, motion carried. Vote 4-0-2 to approve. Mr. Gray and Col. Lewis abstained.
Old Business: None
New Business: None
Adjournment: Board member Chief Rosensweig made a motion to adjourn seconded by Board Secretary Col. Overturf, motion carried. Meeting ended at 1:25pm.