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 7, 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 10:05am.

Chairman Futtner read the Introductory Statement and called the roll call.  Six appellants were present, two appellants failed to appear. Six 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, and Chief Carl Rosensweig,

Board Members Absent: Det. Gudrun Johnson and Stephen Sanetti, Esq.

Chairman Carolyn Futtner administered the oath to all witnesses.

Hearings: Eight cases were heard in the following order:

1) Case No. 22-746-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf with one witness.  Chief Donald Anderson represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Donald Anderson, Darien Police Department.

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

2) Case No. 22-615-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. DESPP Legal Staff Attorney John Grasso 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 State Issuing Authority. Chairman Futtner, Mr. Gray, Col. Overturf and Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Issuing Authority. Col. Lewis voted in favor of the Appellant. Dr. Conrad recused herself from the vote. Vote was 4-1-1 in favor of the Issuing Authority.

3) Case No. 22-661-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear.  Chief James Caron represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief James Canon, Suffield Police Department.

Motion: Board Secretary Overturf made a motion for the Local Issuing Authority, by default, due to the appellant failing to appear. Motion was seconded by Chief Rosensweig, motion passed unanimously.

4) Case No. 22-685-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Legal Staff Attorney John Grasso 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 Local Issuing Authority, by default, due to the appellant failing to appear. Motion was seconded by Chief Rosensweig, motion passed unanimously

5) Case No. 22-758-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman. Det. Rachel Crosby represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Joseph McNeil, Stratford Police Department with one witness.

Passed on to the next case while the IA reviews video evidence.

6) Case No. 22-822-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Sam Kretzmer, Esq.  Det. Joseph Legen represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Joseph McNeil, Stratford 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.

5) Case No. 22-758-D, this case was recalled back to the Board. After review from Stratford, and discussion about the video, this case will go forward for decision. 

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

7) Case No. 22-226-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Lindy Urso, Esq. Lt. Brian Weir represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Michael Lombardo, Trumbull Police Department with two witnesses.

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

8) Case No. 22-622-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf with one witness. Lt. Brian Weir represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Michael Lombardo, Trumbull Police Department.

Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted in favor of the Appellant. Chairman Futtner, Dr. Conrad, Mr. Gray and Col. Lewis voted in favor of the Appellant.  Col. Overturf and Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Issuing Authority. Vote was 4-2- in favor of the Appellant.

Secretary’s Report:

Board member Dr. Conrad made a motion to accept the minutes from February 22, 2024, seconded by Col. Overturf. motion carried. Vote 6-0 to approve.

 

Old Business: None

 

New Business: None

 

Adjournment: Board member Dr. Conrad made a motion to adjourn seconded by Board member Col. Lewis, motion carried. Meeting ended at 2:37pm.