Office of Governmental Accountability Board of Firearms Permit Examiners

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MINUTES

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS

Thursday, December 11, 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 10:00am.

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 town failed to appear. 

Board Members Present: Chairman Diane Whitney, Esq., Dr. Cynthia Conrad, Det. Michael Evangelisti, Col. Kyle Overturf, and Stephen Sanetti, Esq.

Board Members Absent: Elbert Gray and Chief Carl Rosensweig.

Chairman Diane Whitney administered the oath to all witnesses.

Hearings: Eight cases were heard in the following order:

1) Case No. 24-538-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman.  Lt. Matthew Zavatsay represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Stephen Pugner, Bethel Police Department.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Bethel to issue the permit.  Vote was 5-0 in favor of the appellant.

2) Case No. 26-039-CD/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, the denial of the pistol permit. Vote was 5-0 in favor of the Issuing Authority.

3) Case No. 24-201-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Det. Brindiana Warenda 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. 24-162-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman.  Lt. Matthew Zavatsay represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Stephen Pugner, Bethel Police Department.

Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the Local Issuing Authority, the denial of the pistol permit.  Chairman Whitney, Dr. Conrad, Atty. Evangelisti and Col. Overturf voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.  Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Appellant. Vote was 4-1 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.

5) Case No. 24-678-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Sgt. Michael Sigrist represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Roderick Porter, Bridgeport Police Department with one witness.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

6) Case No. 24-608-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Gregory J. Miller, Esq. with two witnesses.  Cpt. Gregory McCarthy represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Louis Fusaro, Town of Groton Police Department with one witness.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Town of Groton to issue the permit.  Vote was 5-0 in favor of the appellant.

7) Case No. 24-551-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  No one appeared to represent the Local Issuing Authority, First Selectman Barbara Perkinson, Town of Woodbury.

Motion: Board Secretary Col. Overturf made a motion for the Appellant, by default, due to the town failing to appear. Motion was seconded by Atty. Sanetti, motion passed unanimously.

8) Case No. 24-634-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Cpt. Gregory McCarthy represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Louis Fusaro, Town of Groton Police Department with one witness.

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 5-0 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.

 

Secretary’s Report:

After a few errors were pointed out the Board Manager agreed to amend the minutes, Board member Dr. Conrad made a motion to accept the minutes from November 20, 2025, seconded by Col. Overturf. motion carried. Vote 5-0 to approve.

 

Old Business: None

New Business: Wishing everyone a happy holiday season!

 

Adjournment: Board Secretary Col. Overturf made a motion to adjourn seconded by Board member Atty. Sanetti, motion carried. Meeting ended at 1:19pm.