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 7, 2024, 10am

Connecticut State Office Building

165 Capitol Ave. Ste. 1070

Hartford, CT 06106

 

 

Call to Order

Col. Kyle Overturf called the meeting to order at 10:05am.

Col. Kyle Overturf 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.  Two Local Issuing Authorities failed to appear.

Board Members Present: Chairman Carolyn Futtner, Esq., Elbert Gray, Col. Kyle Overturf, Chief Carl Rosensweig, and Stephen Sanetti, Esq.

Board Members Absent: Dr. Cynthia Conrad, Det. Gudrun Johnson, and Col. Chris Lewis

Attorney Stephen Sanetti administered the oath to all witnesses.

Chairman Carolyn Futtner arrived at the hearing. 

Hearings: Ten cases were heard in the following order:

1) Case No. 23-449-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. DESPP Legal Counsel Jennifer Miller 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. 23-330-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Trp. Edward Miller represented the Local Issuing Authority, First Selectman Robert McGarry, Town of Haddam.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

3) Case No. 23-292-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf. Chief John Puglisi represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief John Puglisi, Brookfield Police Department with one witness.

Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Brookfield to issue the permit.  Chairman Futtner, Mr. Gray, 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.

4) Case No. 23-305-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. Dep. Chief Paul Gatley and Christopher Banks represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Louis Fusaro, Town of Groton Police Department.

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

5) Case No. 23-318-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear.  Det. Stephen Jacques represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Karl Jacobson, New Haven Police Department.

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 Mr. Gray, motion passed unanimously.

6) Case No. 24-561-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Legal Counsel Jennifer Miller represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell A. Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection 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 Mr. Gray, motion passed unanimously.

7) Case No. 22-766-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  A representative failed to appear for the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Jonathan Mulhern, Branford Police Department.

Motion: Board Secretary Col. Overturf made a motion for the Appellant, by default, due to the Branford failing to appear. Motion was seconded by Mr. Gray, motion passed unanimously.

8) Case No. 23-319-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  A representative failed to appear for the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Michael Lombardo, Trumbull Police Department.

Motion: Board Secretary Col. Overturf made a motion for the Appellant, by default, due to the Branford failing to appear. Motion was seconded by Mr. Gray, motion passed unanimously.

9) Case No. 23-247-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Sgt. John Iammazzo represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Fernando Spagnolo, Waterbury Police Department.

Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Waterbury to issue the permit. Chairman Futtner, Mr. Gray, and Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Appellant. Col. Overturf, and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Vote was 3-2 in favor of the appellant.

10) Case No. 23-260-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Sgt. John Iammazzo 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.

 

Secretary’s Report:

Board Secretary Col. Overturf made a motion to accept the minutes from October 24, 2024, seconded by Mr. Gray, motion carried. Vote 5-0 to approve.

 

Old Business: Board Secretary Overturf made a motion to approve the 2025 schedule, seconded by Mr. Gray motion passed unanimously.

New Business:

1) Discussed the vacancy of the Chief Court Administrator.

2) Discussed whether the denial letters must detail the time limits a person has to appeal the denial.  It was determined that there is no statute requiring the town to disclose that information as it appears on the pistol permit application. 

 

Adjournment: Board member Chief Rosensweig made a motion to adjourn seconded by Board Secretary Col. Overturf, motion carried. Meeting ended at 12:56pm.