Office of Governmental Accountability Board of Firearms Permit Examiners

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MINUTES

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS

Thursday, November 21, 2024, 10am

Connecticut State Office Building

165 Capitol Ave., Ste. 1070

Hartford, CT 06106

 

 

Call to Order

Chairman Carolyn Futtner called the meeting to order at 10:04am.

Chairman Futtner read the Introductory Statement and called the roll call.  Ten appellants were present, one appellant failed to appear. Eight 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: Eleven cases were heard in the following order:

1) Case No. 23-337-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  First Selectman Tina Falck represented the Local Issuing Authority, First Selectman Tina Falck, Town of Griswold.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

2) Case No. 23-504-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 Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection with two witnesses.

Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the State Issuing Authority, the revocation of the pistol permit. Chairman Futtner, Dr. Conrad, Col. Lewis, Col. Overturf, and Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the State Issuing Authority, at this time.  Mr. Gray and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Appellant. Vote was 5-2 in favor of the State Issuing Authority.

3) Case No. 23-391-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 Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Motion: Board Secretary 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.

4) Case No. 23-165-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Sgt. John Iommazzo represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Fernando Spagnolo, Waterbury Police Department.

Motion: Board Secretary 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.

5) Case No. 23-278-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman. Sgt. Elias Martz represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Erik Costa, Middletown Police Department.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Middletown to issue the permit.  Vote was 7-0 in favor of the appellant.

6) Case No. 23-366-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. Elias Martz represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Erik Costa, Middletown Police Department.

Continuance: This case has been continued until 1/9/2025.

7) Case No. 23-285-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 in favor of the appellant and ordered Waterbury to issue the permit.  Vote was 7-0 in favor of the appellant.

Case 23-165-D The appellant arrived late, the Chairman reopened this case. Motion made to reopen/vacate previous decision, seconded by Atty. Sanetti.

4) Case No. 23-165-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf. Sgt. John 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 7-0 in favor of the appellant.

8) Case No. 23-352-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf.  Matthew Iannucci represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Kevin Halloran, North Branford Police Department.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered North Branford to issue the permit.  Vote was 7-0 in favor of the appellant.

9) Case No. 23-371-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Lt. Matthew Riendeau represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Robert Kalamaras, Fairfield Police Department.

Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Fairfield to issue the permit.   Chairman Atty. Futtner, Dr. Conrad, Col. Lewis, and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Appellant. Mr. Gray, Col. Overturf, and Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Vote was 4-3 in favor of the appellant.

10) Case No. 23-558-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. Michael Sigrest represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Roderick Porter, Bridgeport Police Department.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Bridgeport to issue the permit.  Vote was 7-0 in favor of the appellant.

11) Case No. 23-613-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. Michael Sigrest represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Roderick Porter, Bridgeport Police Department.

Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Bridgeport to issue the permit.   Dr. Conrad, Mr. Gray, Col. Overturf, and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Appellant. Chairman Atty. Futtner, Col. Lewis, and Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Vote was 4-3 in favor of the appellant.

 

Dr. Conrad left the hearing before the final motions were heard. 

Secretary’s Report:

Board member Atty. Sanetti made a motion to accept the minutes from November 7, 2024, seconded by Col. Overturf. motion carried. Col. Lewis abstained. Vote 5-0-1 to approve.

Old Business: None

New Business: None

Adjournment: Board Secretary Overturf made a motion to adjourn seconded by Board member Col. Lewis, motion carried. The meeting ended at 2:59pm.