Office of Governmental Accountability Board of Firearms Permit Examiners

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MINUTES

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS

Thursday, January 18, 2024, 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 10:07am.

Chairman Futtner read the Introductory Statement and called the roll call.  Eight appellants were present, two 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, Det. Gudrun Johnson, Col. Chris Lewis, Col. Kyle Overturf, Chief Carl Rosensweig, and Stephen Sanetti, Esq.

Board Members Absent: None

Chairman Carolyn Futtner administered the oath to all witnesses.

Hearings: Nine cases were heard in the following order:

1) Case No. 21-507-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by James A. Saraceni, Esq. Lt. Doug Sauve represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell A. Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered the state to reissue at the end of his pending Accelerated Rehabilitation.  Chairman Futtner, Dr. Conrad, Mr. Gray, Col. Lewis, and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Appellant. Det. Johnson and Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the State Issuing Authority. Vote was 6-2 in favor of the appellant.

2) Case No. 22-751-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Det. Malinowski represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Rafael Medina, Wethersfield Police Department.

Motion: Board Secretary Overturf made a motion for the Appellant due to the town not having any useable evidence, motion was seconded by Det. Johnson, motion passed unanimously.

3) Case No. 22-010-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Lt. Doug Sauve represented the State Issuing Authority Commissioner Ronnell A. 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

4) Case No. 22-585-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear.  Det. Leopold Clarke represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Jason Thody, Hartford Police Department.

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.

5) Case No. 23-695-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman, Esq. Dpt. Corporate Counsel. M. Jeffry Spahr, Esq. represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief James Walsh, Norwalk Police Department with four witnesses.

Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the Local Issuing Authority, the denial of the pistol permit. Ms. Johnson, Col. Lewis, Col. Overturf, Chief Rosensweig and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Chairman Futtner, Dr. Conrad and Mr. Gray voted in favor of the Appellant. Vote was 5-3 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.

Mr. Gray left the hearing at 1:15pm

6) Case No. 23-629-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Det. John Femia represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Roberto Rosado, Meriden Police Department with two witnesses.

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 7-0 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.

Dr. Conrad stepped out on the next hearing.

7) Case No. 24-158-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Gregory J. Miller, Esq. with one witness. Sgt. Elias Martz represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Erik Costa, Middletown Police Department.

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, Ms. Johnson, Col. Lewis, Col. Overturf, and Chief Rosensweig and voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Appellant. Vote was 5-1 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.

Dr. Conrad returned to the hearing.

8) Case No. 22-730-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Cpt. Matthew Pace represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief William Darby, Manchester 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. 23-698-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Gregory J. Miller, Esq. Ofc. Darren Pavlik represented the Local Issuing Authority, First Selectman, George Temple, Town of Oxford 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, at this time. Chairman Futtner, Ms. Johnson, Col. Lewis, Col. Overturf, and Chief Rosensweig and voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Appellant. Vote was 6-1 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.

Secretary’s Report:

Board member Atty. Sanetti made a motion to amend the minutes from January 4, 2024, seconded by Board Secretary Overturf, motion carried. Vote 6-0-1 Det. Johnson abstained 6-0-1.

Once amended, Col. Lewis made a motion to accept the minutes of January 4, 2024, seconded by Atty. Sanetti. Vote was 6-0-1, Det. Johnson abstained.

 

Old Business: None

 

New Business: None

 

Adjournment: Board member Sanetti made a motion to adjourn seconded by Board member Dr. Conrad, motion carried. Meeting ended at 4:37pm.