Office of Governmental Accountability Board of Firearms Permit Examiners

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MINUTES

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS

Thursday, August 29, 2024, 10am

State Office Building

165 Capitol Ave, Room D/E, Hartford, CT 06106

 

 

Call to Order

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

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

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

Board Members Absent: Elbert Gray, Det. Gudrun Johnson, and Chief Carl Rosensweig.

Chairman Carolyn Futtner administered the oath to all witnesses.

Dr. Conard arrived: Hearing started at 10:15

Hearings: Ten cases were heard in the following order:

1) Case No. 23-219-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman.  DESPP Legal Staff Attorney John Grasso represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Continuance: This case has been continued to October 24, 2024

2) Case No. 23-172-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Cpt. Garron DelMonte represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Keith Mello, Milford Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

3) Case No. 23-586-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Lt. Art Weisgerber represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief James Walsh, Norwalk Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

4) Case No. 23-127-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Lt. Art Weisgerber represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief James Walsh, Norwalk Police Department.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Norwalk to issue the permit.  Vote was 5-0 in favor of the appellant.

5) Case No. 22-867-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Legal Staff Attorney John Grasso represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

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

6) Case No. 22-757-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear.  Ofc. Christopher Kelley represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Wayne Williams, Ansonia Police Department.

Motion: Board Secretary Overturf 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. 23-152-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear.  Sgt. John Iommazzo represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Fernando Spagnolo, Waterbury Police Department.

Motion: Board Secretary Overturf 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.

8) Case No. 23-162-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Sgt. Melissa Carney represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Jonathan Mulhern, Branford Police Department.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Norwalk to issue the permit.  Vote was 5-0 in favor of the appellant.

9) Case No. 23-055-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman. Chief Marc Balestracci represented the Local Issuing Authority Chief Marc Balestracci, Waterford Police Department.

Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted in favor of the Appellant. Chairman Futtner, Col. Lewis, Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Appellant.  Dr. Conrad and Col. Overturf voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority Vote was 3-2 in favor of the Appellant.

10) Case No. 23-211-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Legal Staff Attorney John Grasso left the hearing for State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Marked off: This case has been marked off for failure on both sides to appear for this hearing.

Secretary’s Report:

Board Secretary Col. Overturf made a motion to accept the minutes from August 8, 2024, seconded by Dr. Conrad. motion carried. Vote was 5-0.

 

Old Business: None

 

New Business: Cancelling September 12, 2024 hearing and changing the date to September 19, 2024.

 

Adjournment: Board Secretary Overturf made a motion to adjourn seconded by Board member Atty. Sanetti, motion carried. Meeting ended at 11:51am.