Office of Governmental Accountability Board of Firearms Permit Examiners

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MINUTES

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS

Thursday, July 25, 2024, 10am

Connecticut State Office Building

165 Capital Ave., Conference Room G

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.  Five appellants were present, four appellants failed to appear. Four Local Issuing Authorities were present along with the State, one Issuing Authority failed to appear.

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

Board Members Absent: Det. Gudrun Johnson,

Chairman Carolyn Futtner administered the oath to all witnesses.

Hearings: Nine cases were heard in the following order:

1) Case No. 23-103-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. DESPP Capt. Doug Sauve’ represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell A. Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

2) Case No. 23-040-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Christopher T. DeMatteo, Esq. Attorney Thomas Gerarde represented the Local Issuing Authority, First Selectman Denise Raap, Town of Litchfield 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.

3) Case No. 23-098-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear.  Lt. Joseph Ficacelli represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Mack Hawkins, East Hartford Police Department.

Motion: Board member Col. Overturf made a motion for the Local Issuing Authority, by default, due to the appellant failing to appear. Motion was seconded by Mr. Gray, motion passed unanimously

4) Case No. 22-888-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Capt. Doug Sauve’ represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell A. Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Motion: Board member Col. Overturf made a motion for the Local Issuing Authority, by default, due to the appellant failing to appear. Motion was seconded by Mr. Gray, motion passed unanimously

5) Case No. 23-119-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Sgt. Kristopher Matthews represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Scott Todd, Derby Police Department.

Motion: Board member Col. Overturf made a motion for the Local Issuing Authority, by default, due to the appellant failing to appear. Motion was seconded by Mr. Gray, motion passed unanimously

6) Case No. 23-110-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear.  No one represented the Local Issuing Authority, Town Manager Brian Foley, Town of Tolland.

MARKED OFF

7) Case No. 23-101-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman, Esq. DESPP Capt. Doug Sauve’ represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell A. 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.

8) Case No. 22-802-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman. Counsel Catherine Rule represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Foti Koskinas, Westport Police Department with two witnesses.

Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Westport to issue the permit.   Dr. Conrad, Mr. Gray, Col. Lewis, and Atty, Sanetti voted in favor of the Appellant, Chairman Futtner, Col. Overturf and Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Vote was 4-3 in favor of the appellant.

3:00 pm: Chairman Carolyn Futtner left the hearing.  Attorney Stephen Sanetti took over as acting chair.

9) Case No. 23-108-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Capt. Doug Sauve’ represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell A. Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection with two witnesses.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the State Issuing Authority, the revocation of the pistol permit.

Secretary’s Report:

Board member Mr. Gray made a motion to accept the minutes from July 11, 2024, seconded by Dr. Conrad. motion carried.

 

Old Business: None

 

New Business: None

 

Adjournment: Board member Dr. Conrad made a motion to adjourn seconded by Board member Col. Overturf, motion carried. Meeting ended at 3:38pm.