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 24, 2025, 10am

Connecticut State Office Building

165 Capitol Ave., Room G, 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.  Seven appellants were present, one appellant failed to appear. Five Local Issuing Authorities were present along with the State. One Local Issuing Authority failed to appear. 

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

Board Members Absent: Det. Gudrun Johnson and Col. Chris Lewis

Chairman Diane Whitney administered the oath to all witnesses.

Hearings: Eight cases were heard in the following order:

1) Case No. 24-094-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared with a Spanish interpreter. Cpt. Jonathan Laughlin represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief William Darby, Manchester Police Department.

Decision: By majority decision, the Board voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Chairman Whitney, Mr. Gray, Col. Overturf and Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority Dr. Conrad and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Appellant. Vote was 4-2 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.

2) Case No. 24-064-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. DESPP Legal Staff Attorney Evan Fisher represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

3) Case No. 23-691-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Det. Dan Macauley represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Scott Sanson, Granby Police Department.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the denial of the Local Issuing Authority. Chief Rosensweig recused himself from this case. Vote was 5-0 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. 

11:35am: Elbert Gray left the hearing. 

4) Case No. 24-182-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. There was no one to represent the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Rafael Medina, Wethersfield Police Department.

Motion: Board Secretary Col. Overturf made a motion for the Appellant, by default, due to the Local Issuing Authority failing to appear. Motion was seconded by Dr. Conrad, motion passed. Dr. Conrad, Col. Overturf and Atty. Sanetti voted for the motion and Chairman Whitney and Chief Rosensweig voted against the motion.  Vote was 3-2 in favor of the appellant by default.

5) Case No. 23-750-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Chief Christopher Vanghele represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Christopher Vanghele, Plainville Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

6) Case No. 23-779-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Michael Brown, Esq. Chief Christopher Vanghele represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Christopher Vanghele, Plainville Police Department.

Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted in favor of the Appellant. Dr. Conrad, Col. Overturf, Chief Rosensweig and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Appellant. Chairman Whitney voted in favor of the Issuing Authority.  Vote was 4-1 in favor of the Appellant.

7) Case No. 24-046-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf. DESPP Legal Staff Attorney Evan Fisher represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection with one witness.

Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted in favor of the Appellant. Chairman Whitney Dr. Conrad, and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Appellant, Col. Overturf and Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Issuing Authority.   Vote was 3-2 in favor of the Appellant.

8) Case No. 23-746-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. No one was there to represent the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Michael Lombardo, Trumbull Police Department.

Marked off: This case has been marked off. 

 

Secretary’s Report:

Board member Dr. Conrad made a motion to accept the minutes from April 10, 2025, seconded by Col. Overturf, motion carried. Chief Rosensweig abstained. Vote 4-0-1 to approve.

 

Old Business:

 

New Business: After a discussion on a previous case, 23-576-D, due to sickness, the Board agreed to open the case back up and reschedule a new hearing date.    

 

Adjournment: Board member Dr. Conrad made a motion to adjourn seconded by Board Secretary Col. Overturf, motion carried. Meeting ended at 12:59pm.