MINUTES
OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY
BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS
Thursday, September 26, 2024, 10am
Connecticut State Office Building
165 Capitol Ave., Conference Room D/E
Hartford, CT 06106
Call to Order
Chairman Carolyn Futtner called the meeting to order at 10:19am.
Chairman Futtner read the Introductory Statement and called the roll call. Nine appellants were present, five appellants failed to appear. Ten Local Issuing Authorities were present along with the State.
Board Members Present: Chairman Carolyn Futtner, Esq., Dr. Cynthia Conrad, Elbert Gray, Det. Gudrun Johnson, and Col. Chris Lewis
Board Members Absent: Col. Kyle Overturf, Chief Carl Rosensweig, and Stephen Sanetti, Esq.
Chairman Carolyn Futtner administered the oath to all witnesses.
Hearings: Fourteen cases were heard in the following order:
1) Case No. 24-007-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.
This case is being put on hold while Bridgeport calls to check on the appellant’s record.
2) Case No. 23-128-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Lt. Joseph Ficacelli represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Mack Hawkings, East Hartford 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.
3) Case No. 23-296-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. DESPP Legal Deputy Director Colin Milne represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell A. Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
Motion: Board member Det. Johnson made a motion for the State Issuing Authority, due to the appellant having an automatic disqualifier and choosing not to withdraw his case, seconded by Col. Lewis, motion passed unanimously.
Recalling Case No. 24-007-D: Withdrew: The appellant has withdrawn his appeal after checking the appellants’ record. Bridgeport will issue the permit.
4) Case No. 23-076-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Chief Stephen Pugner represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Stephen Pugner, Bethel Police Department.
Motion: Board member Det. Johnson 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.
5) Case No. 23-137-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Legal Deputy Director Colin Milne represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell A. Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
Motion: Board member Det. Johnson 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. 24-092-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Sgt. Michael Sigrest represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Roderick Porter, Bridgeport Police Department.
Continuance: After a discussion about the appellant not receiving her letter, the Board agreed to continue this case to November 21, 2024.
7) Case No. 24-012-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf. Sgt. Michael Sigrest represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Roderick Porter, Bridgeport Police Department.
Withdrew: The appellant withdrew her case.
8) Case No. 23-777-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.
This case is being put on hold while Bridgeport calls to check on the appellant’s record.
9) Case No. 22-651-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman, Esq. with one witness. Sgt. John Iommazzo 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. Chairman Futtner, Mr. Gray and Det. Johnson voted in favor of the Appellant. Dr. Conrad and Col. Lewis voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Vote was 3-2 in favor of the appellant.
10) Case No. 23-092-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 with one witness.
Motion: Board member Det. Johnson made a motion for the Local Issuing Authority, by default, due to the appellant failing to appear. Motion was seconded by Col. Lewis, motion passed unanimously.
Recalling Case No. 24-777-D: Withdrew: The appellant has withdrawn his appeal after checking the appellants’ record. Bridgeport will issue the permit.
11) Case No. 23-499-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Sgt. Michael Sigrest represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Roderick Porter, Bridgeport Police Department.
Motion: Board member Det. Johnson 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.
12) Case No. 23-136-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman, Esq. with one witness. Corporal Bryan Kowalsky represented the Local Issuing Authority, First Selectman Bernie Dennier, Town of Colchester.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Colchester to issue the permit. Vote was 5-0 in favor of the appellant.
13) Case No. 23-294-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by James D. Hirschfield with one witness. DESPP Legal Deputy Chief Colin Milne 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 appellant and ordered the state to reinstate. Chairman Futtner, Dr. Conrad, Mr. Gray, Col. Lewis, voted in favor of the Appellant. Det. Johnson voted in favor of the State Issuing Authority. Vote was 4-1 in favor of the State Issuing Authority.
14) Case No. 23-265-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf with one witness. DESPP Legal Deputy Chief Colin Milne 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 and upheld the revocation. Chairman Futtner, Mr. Gray, Det. Johnson, Col. Lewis, voted in favor of the State Issuing Authority. Dr. Conrad voted in favor of the Appellant. Vote was 4-1 in favor of the State Issuing Authority at this time.
Secretary’s Report:
Board member Dr. Conrad made a motion to accept the minutes from September 19, 2024, seconded by Mr. Gray. motion carried unanimously. Vote 4-0-1 to approve. Det. Johnson abstained
Old Business: None
New Business:
Adjournment: Board member Col. Lewis made a motion to adjourn seconded by Board member Det. Johnson, motion carried. Meeting ended at 2:00pm.