Office of Governmental Accountability Board of Firearms Permit Examiners

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MINUTES

 

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS

Thursday, March 21, 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 10:02am.

Chairman Futtner read the Introductory Statement and called the roll call.  Six appellants were present, three appellants failed to appear. Six Local Issuing Authorities were present along with the State.

Board Members Present: Chairman Carolyn Futtner, Esq., Elbert Gray, Det. Gudrun Johnson, Col. Chris Lewis, Col. Kyle Overturf, and Stephen Sanetti, Esq.

Board Members Absent: Dr. Cynthia Conrad and Chief Carl Rosensweig.

Chairman Carolyn Futtner administered the oath to all witnesses.

Hearings: Nine cases were heard in the following order:

1) Case No. 22-598-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Lt. Kenneth Keroack represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Fernando Spagnolo, Waterbury Police Department.

Motion: Board member Det. Johnson made a motion for the Local Issuing Authority, seconded by Col. Lewis, due to the appellant having a disqualifier, motion passed unanimously.

2) Case No. 24-318-D, involving the constructive denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Chief Michael Finkelstein represented the Local Issuing Authority, East Lyme Police Department.

Motion: Board member Det. Johnson made a motion for the Local Issuing Authority, due to an incomplete application, the motion was seconded by Col. Overturf, motion passed unanimously.

3) Case No. 22-638-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman, Esq. Trp. Jenney represented the Local Issuing Authority, First Selectman , Irene M. Haines Town of East Haddam.

Motion: Board member Atty. Sanetti made a motion for the Appellant, due to no evidence, motion was seconded by Det. Johnson, motion passed unanimously. Col Overturf recuse himself from this case. 

4) Case No. 22-838-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf.  Asst. Corporate Counsel Mary Pokorski represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Matthew Marino, New Britain Police Department with one witness. 

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

5) Case No. 22-849-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear.  Asst. Corporate Counsel Mary Pokorski represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Matthew Marino, New Britain Police Department with one witness. 

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

6) Case No. 22-693-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Asst. Legal Director Colin Milne represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell A. Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Motion: Board member Ms. Johnson made a motion for the Local Issuing Authority, by default, due to the appellant failing to appear. Motion was seconded by Atty. Sanetti, motion passed unanimously

7) Case No. 24-083-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Asst. Legal Director Colin Milne represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell A. Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

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 Det. Johnson, motion passed unanimously.

8) Case No. 22-720-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf.  DESPP Asst. Legal 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 in favor of the appellant and ordered the state to reissue.   Chairman Futtner, Mr. Gray, Col. Lewis, Col. Overturf, and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Appellant. Det. Johnson voted in favor of the State Issuing Authority. Vote was 5-1 in favor of the appellant.

9) Case No. 22-723-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ryan D. Ziolkowskie, Esq.  Master Sgt. Christopher DeMarco represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Michael Spera, Old Saybrook 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.

 

Secretary’s Report:

Board member Col. Lewis made a motion to accept the minutes from March 7, 2024, seconded by Col. Overturf, motion carried. Det. Johnson and Atty. Sanetti abstained. Vote 4-0 to approve.

 

Old Business:

 

New Business:

 

Adjournment: Board member Col. Lewis made a motion to adjourn seconded by Board member Det. Johnson, motion carried. Meeting ended at 1:40pm.