MINUTES
OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY
BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS
Thursday, June 20, 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 10:06am.
Chairman Futtner read the Introductory Statement and called the roll call. Nine appellants were present, one appellant 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, 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: Ten cases were heard in the following order:
1) Case No. 24-027-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf. Det. Rachel Crosby represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Joseph McNeil, Stratford Police Department.
Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew her case.
2) Case No. 23-217-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Det. Rachel Crosby represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Joseph McNeil, Stratford Police Department.
Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.
3) Case No. 23-022-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. DESPP Det. Michael Evangelisti represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell A. Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.
4) 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 three witnesses.
Continuance: This case has been continued to July 25, 2024.
5) Case No. 23-007-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. DESPP Det. Michael Evangelisti 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.
6) Case No. 22-713-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Det. Michael Evangelisti 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 State Issuing Authority, by default, due to the appellant failing to appear. Motion was seconded by Mr. Gray, motion passed unanimously. Motion passed 6-0-1 Atty. Sanetti abstained.
7) Case No. 23-041-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Det. Sgt. Zachary Klomberg represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Paul Hammick, Bloomfield 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 7-0 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.
8) Case No. 23-038-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Tpr. Brice Reed represented the Local Issuing Authority, Town Manager Andrew Tierney, Town of Hebron.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Hebron to issue the permit. Vote was 7-0 in favor of the appellant.
9) Case No. 23-017-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Dep. Chief Kraig Gray represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief James Heavey, Greenwich 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 7-0 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.
10) Case No. 23-056-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman with one witness. Dep. Chief Kraig Gray represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief James Heavey, Greenwich Police Department.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Greenwich to issue the permit. Vote was 6-0-1 in favor of the appellant. Col. Overturf recused himself.
Secretary’s Report:
Board member Atty. Sanetti made a motion to accept the minutes from June 6, 2024, seconded by Mr. Gray. motion carried. Chairman Futtner, Dr. Conrad, and Col. Lewis abstained. Vote 4-0-3 to approve.
Old Business: None
New Business: None
Adjournment: Board member Chief Rosensweig made a motion to adjourn seconded by Board member Col. Lewis, motion carried. Meeting ended at 1:21pm.