Office of Governmental Accountability Board of Firearms Permit Examiners

PLEASE CONTACT THE BOARD IMMEDIATELY IF YOUR PERMIT WAS ISSUED OR REINSTATED PRIOR TO YOUR HEARING. THIS WILL REDUCE THE BACKLOG.

MINUTES

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS

Thursday, August 21, 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.  Four appellants were present, three appellants failed to appear. Four Local Issuing Authorities were present along with the State.

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

Board Members Absent: Chief Carl Rosensweig

Chairman Diane Whitney administered the oath to all witnesses.

Hearings: Seven cases were heard in the following order:

1) Case No. 25-216-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf with one witness.  Chief Marc Petruzzi represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Marc Petruzzi, Vernon Police Department.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Vernon to issue the permit.  Vote was 7-0 in favor of the appellant.

2) Case No. 25-629-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Dep Chief. James Bonney represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief James Heavey, Greenwich Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

3) Case No. 24-314-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf with one witness. Sgt. Elias Martz represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Erik Costa, Middletown 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, at this time. Vote was 7-0 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.

 

4) Case No. 24-384-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Asst. Legal Director Colon Milne 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 Det. Johnson, motion passed unanimously.

5) Case No. 24-174-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Asst. Legal Director Colon Milne 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 Det. Johnson, motion passed unanimously.

6) Case No. 24-405-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Asst. Legal Director Colon Milne 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 Det. Johnson, motion passed unanimously.

7) Case No. 24-342-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf with one witness.  Sgt. John Iommazzo represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Fernando Spagnolo, Waterbury Police Department.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Waterbury to issue the permit.  Vote was 7-0 in favor of the appellant.

Secretary’s Report:

Board Secretary Col. Overturf made a motion to accept the minutes from July 24, 2025, seconded by Atty. Sanetti. motion carried. Vote 6-1 to approve. Det. Johnson abstained.

Old Business: None

New Business: Discussed Public Act 25-43 and the effect it may have on our Board.

Shared 2024 and 2025 statistics with the Board. 

Adjournment: Board Secretary Col. Overturf made a motion to adjourn seconded by Board member Det. Johnson, motion carried. Meeting ended at 12:10pm.