MINUTES
OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY
BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS
Thursday, October 10, 2024, 10am
Connecticut State Office Building
165 Capitol Ave., Hartford, CT 06106
Call to Order
Attorney Stephen Sanetti called the meeting to order at 10:04am.
Attorney Sanetti read the Introductory Statement and called the roll call. Seven appellants were present, four appellants failed to appear. Eight Local Issuing Authorities were present along with the State.
Board Members Present: Dr. Cynthia Conrad, Elbert Gray, Col. Kyle Overturf, Chief Carl Rosensweig, and Stephen Sanetti, Esq.
Board Members Absent: Chairman Carolyn Futtner, Esq., Det. Gudrun Johnson, and Col. Chris Lewis
Attorney Sanetti administered the oath to all witnesses.
Hearings: Eleven cases were heard in the following order:
1) Case No. 23-153-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Gregory Miller, Esq. Sgt. John Iommazzo represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Fernando Spagnolo, Waterbury Police Department.
Continuance: This case has been continued to January 30, 2025.
2) Case No. 23-356-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. DESPP Capt. Douglas Sauve 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.
3) Case No. 23-311-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman, Det. Michael Giordano represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief William R. Baldwin, Jr., Torrington Police Department.
Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted to in favor of the appellant. Atty. Sanetti, Dr. Conrad, Mr. Gray, voted in favor of the Appellant. Col. Overturf and Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Vote was 3-2 in favor of the Appellant.
4) Case No. 23-111-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by John C. Drapp, Esq., Det. Michael Giordano represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief William R. Baldwin, Jr., Torrington Police Department.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Torrington to issue the permit. Vote was 5-0 in favor of the appellant.
5) Case No. 22-959-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Lt. Brian Weir represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Michael Lombardo, Trumbull 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 Chief Rosensweig, motion passed unanimously.
6) Case No. 23-302-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. No one represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Jonathan Mulhern, Branford Police Department.
Marked off: Due to the failure of both parties to appear, this case has been marked off.
7) Case No. 24-465-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 Local Issuing Authority, by default, due to the appellant failing to appear. Motion was seconded by Chief Rosensweig, motion passed unanimously.
8) Case No. 23-269-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Ofc. Luis Rivera represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Edward Reynolds, Hamden 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.
9) Case No. 23-147-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 majority decision, the Board voted to in favor of the appellant. Dr. Conrad, Mr. Gray and Col. Overturf voted in favor of the Appellant. Atty. Sanetti, and Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Vote was 3-2 in favor of the Appellant.
10) Case No. 23-164-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, at this time, the denial of the pistol permit. Vote was 5-0 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.
11) Case No. 23-336-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Capt. Douglas Sauve represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell A. 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.
Secretary’s Report:
Board Secretary Overturf made a motion to accept the minutes from September 26,2024 seconded by Dr. Conrad. motion carried. Col. Overturf, Chief Rosensweig, and Atty. Sanetti, abstained. Vote 2-0-3 to approve.
Old Business: None
New Business: Discussed Chief Court Administrator vacancy.
Adjournment: Board Secretary Overturf made a motion to adjourn seconded by Board member Mr. Gray, motion carried. Meeting ended at 1:20pm.