Office of Governmental Accountability Board of Firearms Permit Examiners

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MINUTES

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS

Thursday, December 12, 2024, 10am

CT State Office Building

165 Capitol Ave., Hartford, CT 06106

 

 

Call to Order

Acting Chairman Stephen Sanetti called the meeting to order at 10:06am.

Acting Chairman Atty. Sanetti read the Introductory Statement and called the roll call.  Eight appellants were present, four appellants failed to appear. Eight Local Issuing Authorities were present along with the State.

Board Members Present: Dr. Cynthia Conrad, Elbert Gray, Det. Gudrun Johnson, Col. Chris Lewis, Col. Kyle Overturf, and Stephen Sanetti, Esq.

Board Members Absent: Chairman Carolyn Futtner and Chief Carl Rosensweig

Acting Chairman Stephen Sanetti administered the oath to all witnesses.

Hearings: Twelve cases were heard in the following order:

1) Case No. 23-268-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Det. Miscioscia represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Timothy Shaw, Stamford Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

2) Case No. 23-794-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Det. Miscioscia represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Timothy Shaw, Stamford Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

3) Case No. 23-314-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf.  Ofc.  Kelley represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Wayne Williams, Ansonia Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew her case.

4) Case No. 23-398-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Tpr. Stephen Krause represented the Local Issuing Authority, First Selectman Carol Doak-Jones, Town of Deep River with one witness.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

5) 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, Esq. with one witness.  DESPP Attorney John Grasso represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection with one witness.

Decision: Being that this decision was a tie vote, it goes in the favor of the appellant and ordered the state to reissue.   Dr. Conrad, Mr. Gray, and Col. Lewis, voted in favor of the Appellant. Det. Johnson, Col. Overturf and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the State Issuing Authority. Vote was 3-3, tie goes to the appellant.

6) Case No. 23-095-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear.  Det. Atty. Michael Evangelisti represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection with one witness.

Motion: Board Secretary 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

7) Case No. 23-526-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear.  Det. Atty. Michael Evangelisti represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection with one witness.

Motion: Board Secretary 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.

8) Case No. 23-002-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear.  Sgt. John Iammazzo represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Fernando Spagnolo, Waterbury 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 Det. Johnson, motion passed unanimously.

9) Case No. 23-406-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear.  Chief John Bucherati represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief John Bucherati, Seymour 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 Det. Johnson, motion passed unanimously.

10) Case No. 23-405-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Det. Sgt. John Marenholz represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief John Daly, Southington Police Department with one witness.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Southington to issue the permit.  Vote was 6-0 in favor of the appellant.

11) Case No. 23-368-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf with two witnesses.  Det. Dennis Picheco represented the Local Issuing Authority, First Selectman Jeff Manville, Town of Southbury.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Southbury to issue the permit.  Vote was 6-0 in favor of the appellant.

12) Case No. 23-527-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear.  Det. Atty. Michael Evangelisti represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, 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 6-0 in favor of the State Issuing Authority.

Secretary’s Report:

Board Secretary Overturf made a motion to accept the minutes from November 21, 2024, seconded by Mr. Gray motion carried. Ms. Johnson abstained. Vote 5-1 to approve.

 

Old Business: None

 

New Business: Current Chairman, Carolyn Futtner, Esq. is stepping down as of 12/31/2024.  Director of Appointments, Tom Scanlon is in talks with a new candidate for Chairman.

 

Adjournment: Board member Col. Lewis made a motion to adjourn seconded by Board member Mr. Gray motion carried. Meeting ended at 2:02pm.