Office of Governmental Accountability Board of Firearms Permit Examiners

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MINUTES

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS

Thursday, June 6, 2024, 10am

Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection

1111 Country Club Rd., Middletown, CT 06457

 

 

Call to Order

Acting Chairman Stephen Sanetti called the meeting to order at 10:04am.

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

Board Members Present: Elbert Gray, Det. Gudrun Johnson, Col. Kyle Overturf, Chief Carl Rosensweig, and Stephen Sanetti, Esq.

Board Members Absent: Chairman Carolyn Futtner, Esq., Dr. Cynthia Conrad, and Col. Chris Lewis

Acting Chairman Stephen Sanetti administered the oath to all witnesses.

Hearings: Ten cases were heard in the following order:

1) Case No. 22-215-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by C. Christian Young, Esq. DESPP Legal Acting Director Colin Milne 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. 22-705-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.  Trp. Stephen Krause represented the Local Issuing Authority, First Selectman Carol Doak, Town of Deep River.

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

3) Case No. 22-841-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Lt. Lee Grabner represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Spencer Cerruto, New Milford Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

4) Case No. 22-549-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Michael J. Melly, Esq. DESPP Legal Acting Director Colin Milne represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell A. Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection with one witness.

Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the State Issuing Authority, the revocation of the pistol permit. Ms. Johnson, Col. Overturf, and Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the State Issuing Authority.  Mr. Gray and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Appellant. Vote was 3-2 in favor of the State Issuing Authority.

5) Case No. 22-933-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant and Atty. Beadnell failed to appear. DESPP Legal Acting Director Colin Milne represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell A. Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection with one witness.

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 Ms. Johnson, motion passed unanimously.

6) Case No. 22-700-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Legal Acting Director Colin Milne represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell A. Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection with one witness.

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 Ms. Johnson, motion passed unanimously.

7) Case No. 23-791-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman, Esq.  Sgt. Richard Dube represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Mack Hawkins, East Hartford Police Department with one witness.

Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered East Hartford to issue the permit.   Mr. Gray, Ms. Johnson, Col. Overturf and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Appellant. Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Vote was 4-1 in favor of the appellant.

8) Case No. 22-911-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf.  Sgt. Michael Giordano represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief William Baldwin, Torrington 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 5-0 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.

 

9) Case No. 22-675-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman, Esq.  Sgt. Daniel Doyon represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief William Darby, Manchester Police Department.

This case was put on hold due to a possible agreement.

10) Case No. 22-826-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. Iommazzo represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Fernando Spagnolo, Waterbury Police Department.

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

Case 22-675-R recalled…. No agreement was met.

Case No. 22-675-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman, Esq.  Sgt. Daniel Doyon represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief William Darby, Manchester Police Department.

Motion: After no agreement was met, Col. Overturf made a motion to find in favor of the appellant, seconded by Det. Johnson. Motion passed unanimously, 5-0.

 

Secretary’s Report:

Board member Mr. Gray made a motion to accept the minutes from May 23, 2024, seconded by Atty. Sanetti. motion carried. Ms. Johnson and Col. Overturf abstained. Vote to approve. 3-0

 

Old Business: None

 

New Business: Discussion about changing locations of our hearings. 

 

Adjournment: Board Secretary Overturf made a motion to adjourn seconded by Board member Det. Johnson, motion carried, meeting ended at 2:12pm.