MINUTES
OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY
BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS
Thursday, February 20, 2025, 10am
Connecticut State Office Building
165 Capitol Ave., Room G, Hartford, CT 06106
Call to Order
Acting Chairman Stephen Sanetti, Esq. called the meeting to order at 10:03am.
Acting Chairman Stephen Sanetti read the Introductory Statement and called the roll call. Nine appellants were present, two appellants failed to appear. Seven Local Issuing Authorities were present along with the State.
Board Members Present: Acting Chairman Stephen Sanetti, Esq., Elbert Gray, Det. Gudrun Johnson, Col. Chris Lewis, Col. Kyle Overturf, and Chief Carl Rosensweig.
Board Members Absent: Dr. Cynthia Conrad
Acting Chairman Atty. Stephen Sanetti administered the oath to all witnesses.
Hearings: Eleven cases were heard in the following order:
1) Case No. 23-674-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Legal Staff Attorney John Grasso represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.
2) Case No. 23-546-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Cpt. Jon Laughlin represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief William Darby, Manchester Police Department with 3 witnesses.
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. Mr. Gray abstained from the vote.
3) Case No. 23-475-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Christopher DeMatteo, Esq. Lt. Corrianne Carangelo represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Jonathan Mulhern, Branford Police Department with one witness.
Decision: By a tie vote (3-3), the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Branford to issue the permit. Acting Chairman Sanetti, Mr. Gray and Col. Lewis, voted in favor of the appellant. Det. Johnson, Col Overturf and Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Vote was 3-3, tie vote goes in favor of the appellant.
4) Case No. 23-542-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Legal Staff Attorney John Grasso represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
Motion: Board Secretary 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. 23-529-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 Overturf made a motion for the Local Issuing Authority, by default, due to the appellant failing to appear. Motion was seconded by Det. Johnson, motion passed unanimously.
6) Case No. 23-642-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. DESPP Legal Staff Attorney John Grasso represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection with one witness.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the State Issuing Authority, the revocation of the pistol permit.
7) Case No. 23-474-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Asst. Corporate Counsil Mary Pokorski represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Matthew Marino, New Britain Police Department with one witness.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered New Britain to issue the permit. Vote was 6-0 in favor of the appellant.
8) Case No. 23-503-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. Elias Martz represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Erik Costa, Middletown Police Department.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Middletown to issue the permit. Vote was 6-0 in favor of the appellant.
9) Case No. 23-497-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Asst. Corporate Counsil Mary Pokorski represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Matthew Marino, New Britain Police Department with one witness.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered New Britain to issue the permit. Vote was 6-0 in favor of the appellant.
10) Case No. 21-686-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Michael Dwyer, Esq. DESPP Legal Staff Attorney John Grasso represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection with one witness.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the State Issuing Authority, the revocation of the pistol permit at this time.
11) Case No. 25-011-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf. Sgt. John Iommazzo represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Fernando Spagnolo, Waterbury Police Department with one witness.
Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the Local Issuing Authority, the denial of the pistol permit. Acting Chairman Sanetti, Det. Johnson, Col. Overturf, and Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Mr. Gray and Col. Lewis, voted in favor of the Appellant. Vote was 4-2. in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.
Secretary’s Report:
Board Secretary Overturf made a motion to accept the minutes from January 30, 2025, seconded by Col. Lewis. motion carried. Mr. Gray and Det. Johnson abstained. Vote 4-0-2 to approve.
Old Business: None
New Business: New Chairman will start on March 6, 2025.
Adjournment: Board Secretary Overturf made a motion to adjourn seconded by Board member Col. Lewis, motion carried. Meeting ended at 4:00pm.