MINUTES
OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY
BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS
Thursday, May 23, 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 10:05 am.
Chairman Futtner read the Introductory Statement and called the roll call. Thirteen appellants were present, one appellant failed to appear. Seven Local Issuing Authorities were present along with the State. Two Local Issuing Authorities failed to appear.
Board Members Present: Chairman Carolyn Futtner, Esq., Elbert Gray, Col. Chris Lewis, Chief Carl Rosensweig, and Stephen Sanetti, Esq.
Board Members Absent: Col. Kyle Overturf, Dr. Cynthia Conrad, and Det. Gudrun Johnson
Chairman Carolyn Futtner administered the oath to all witnesses.
Hearings: Fourteen cases were heard in the following order:
1) Case No. 22-743-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. DESPP Legal Staff Attorney Jennifer Miller 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.
2) Case No. 24-366-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. Det. Femia represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Roberto Rosado, Meriden Police Department with 2 witnesses.
Continuance: This case has been continued to a date to be determined.
3) Case No. 22-855-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. DESPP Legal Staff Attorney Jennifer Miller represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell A. Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
Withdrawal: The appellant has withdrawn his case.
4) Case No. 22-711-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Legal Staff Attorney Jennifer Miller represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell A. Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
Motion: Board member Chief Rosensweig 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.
5) Case No. 22-870-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. DESPP Legal Staff Attorney Jennifer Miller represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell A. Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection with one witness.
This case was put on hold due to an active case, allowing the appellant to contact his attorney.
6) Case No. 22-465-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman along with two witnesses. Det. Elias Martz represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Erik Costa, Middletown Police Department with one witness.
Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Middletown to issue the permit. Chief Rosensweig and Mr. Gray voted in favor of the Issuing Authority. Chairman Futtner Col. Lewis, and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the appellant Vote was 3-2 in favor of the appellant.
7) Case No. 22-803-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by John C. Drapp, III, Esq. No one represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Stephen Pugner, Bethel Police Department.
Motion: Atty. Sanetti made a motion for the Appellant, by default, due to the Issuing Authority failing to appear. Motion was seconded by Mr. Gray, motion passed unanimously.
8) Case No. 22-957-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. No one represented the Local Issuing Authority, Town Manager Andrew Tierney, Town of Hebron.
Motion: Atty. Sanetti made a motion for the Appellant, by default, due to the Issuing Authority failing to appear. Motion was seconded by Mr. Gray, motion passed unanimously.
Case 22-870-R recalled….
Case No. 22-870-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. DESPP Legal Staff Attorney Jennifer Miller represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell A. Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection with one witness.
Withdrawal: The appellant has withdrawn his case.
9) Case No. 22-928-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. Michael Sigrist represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Roderick Porter, Bridgeport Police Department with one witness.
Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the Local Issuing Authority, the denial of the pistol permit. Chairman Futtner, Col. Lewis, Chief Rosensweig, and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Mr. Gray voted in favor of the Appellant. Vote was 4-1 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.
10) Case No. 22-500-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman, Esq. Chief Christopher Perry represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Christopher Perry, Newington Police Department.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Newington to issue the permit. Vote was 5-0 in favor of the appellant.
11) Case No. 22-898-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. John Iommazzo represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Fernando Spagnolo, Waterbury 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.
12) Case No. 22-507-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. General Counsil Steve Stafstrom represented the Local Issuing Authority, First Selectman Julia Pemberton, Town of Redding with one witness.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Redding to issue the permit. Vote was 5-0 in favor of the appellant.
13) Case No. 24-083-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. DESPP Legal Asst. Director Attorney Colin Milne 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.
14) Case No. 22-934-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Counsel Owen Weaver, Esq. represented the Local Issuing Authority, First Selectman Melissa Lindsey, Town of New Fairfield with one witness.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered New Fairfield to issue the permit. Vote was 5-0 in favor of the appellant.
Secretary’s Report:
Board member Col. Lewis made a motion to accept the minutes from May 9, 2024, seconded by Atty. Sanetti. motion carried. Vote 5-0 to approve.
Old Business: None
New Business: None
Adjournment: Board member Atty. Sanetti made a motion to adjourn seconded by Board member Col. Lewis, motion carried. Meeting ended at 2:54pm.