Office of Governmental Accountability Board of Firearms Permit Examiners

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MINUTES

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS

Thursday, April 10, 2025, 10am

Connecticut State Office Building

165 Capitol Ave., Room D/E, Hartford, CT 06106

 

 

 

Call to Order

Chairman Diane Whitney called the meeting to order at 10:05am.

Chairman Whitney read the Introductory Statement and called the roll call.  Nine appellants were present, four appellants failed to appear. Ten Local Issuing Authorities were present along with the State.

Board Members Present: Chairman Diane Whitney, Esq., Dr. Cynthia Conrad, Elbert Gray, Col. Chris Lewis, Col. Kyle Overturf, and Stephen Sanetti, Esq.

Board Members Absent: Det. Gudrun Johnson and Chief Carl Rosensweig

Chairman Diane Whitney administered the oath to all witnesses.

Hearings: Thirteen cases were heard in the following order:

1) Case No. 24-013-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 Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection with two witnesses.

Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered the state to reissue.   Dr. Conrad, Mr. Gray, Col. Lewis, Col. Overturf and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Appellant. Chairman Whitney voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Vote was 5-1 in favor of the appellant.

2) Case No. 24-014-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 Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

3) Case No. 24-015-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 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 Atty. Sanetti, motion passed unanimously.

4) Case No. 23-576-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 Secretary Col. Overturf made a motion for the Local Issuing Authority, by default, due to the appellant failing to appear. Motion was seconded by Atty. Sanetti, motion passed unanimously.

5) Case No. 23-686-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear.  Atty. Ken Slater represented the Local Issuing Authority, First Selectman Rodney Fournier, Town of Bolton with 2 witnesses.

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. 23-670-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear.  Sgt. Elias Martz represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Erik Costa, Middletown 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.

7) Case No. 23-663-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Lt. Corrianne Carangelo represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Jonathan Mulhern, Branford Police Department.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Branford to issue the permit.  Vote was 6-0 in favor of the appellant.

8) Case No. 23-508-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph Sherman, Esq. Chief Michael Macek represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Michael Macek, East Lyme Police Department.

Motion: Board Secretary Col. Overturf made a motion for the Appellant as a medical document was submitted to the Local Issuing Authority.  Motion was seconded by Atty. Sanetti, motion passed unanimously.

9) Case No. 25-255-CD/D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Sgt. Matthew Hoffman 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 6-0 in favor of the appellant.

10) Case No. 23-793-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Sgt. Matthew Hoffman represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Roderick Porter, Bridgeport Police Department.

Motion: Board member Dr. Conrad made a motion for the Appellant. Motion was seconded by Atty. Gray, motion passed unanimously.

11) Case No. 23-689-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Det. Justin Hilchuk represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Rafael Medina, Wethersfield Police Department.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Wethersfield to issue the permit.  Vote was 6-0 in favor of the appellant.

12) Case No. 23-393-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Dep. Chief Paul Gately represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Louis Fusaro, Town of Groton Police Department.

Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Chairman Whitney, Dr. Conrad, Col. Lewis, Col. Overturf and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Mr. Gray voted in favor of the Appellant. Vote was 5-1 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.

13) Case No. 23-513-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. Kristopher Matthews represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Scott Todd, Derby Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

 

Secretary’s Report:

Board Secretary Overturf made a motion to accept the minutes from March 27, 2025, seconded by Dr. Conrad. motion carried. Atty Sanetti abstained. Vote 5-0-1 to approve.

 

Old Business: Discussed where the legislation stands as far as changes to the Board of Firearms Permit Examiners. 

 

New Business: None 

 

Adjournment: Board member Sanetti made a motion to adjourn seconded by Board member Dr. Conrad, motion carried. Meeting ended at 1:11pm.