Office of Governmental Accountability Board of Firearms Permit Examiners

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MINUTES

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS

Thursday, January 9, 2025, 10am

Connecticut State Office Building

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

 

 

 

Call to Order

Acting Chairman Stephen Sanetti called the meeting to order at 10:00am.

Honoring Jimmy Carter’s death with a moment of silence.

Acting Chairman Sanetti read the Introductory Statement and called the roll call.  Five appellants were present, three appellants failed to appear. Five Local Issuing Authorities were present along with the State.

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

Board Members Absent: Det. Gudrun Johnson

Acting Chairman Stephen Sanetti administered the oath to all witnesses.

Hearings: Eight cases were heard in the following order:

1) Case No. 23-575-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. DESPP Cpt. Doug Sauve, Esq. represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell A. Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

2) Case No. 23-430-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Chief Christopher C. Ciuci represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Christopher C. Ciuci, Winchester Police Department.

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

3) Case No. 23-376-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by John (Jake) R. Donovan, Esq.  DESPP Cpt. Doug Sauve, Esq. represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell A. Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection with one witness.

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, and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Appellant. Col. Overturf an Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Vote was 4-2 in favor of the appellant.

4) Case No. 23-366-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.

5) Case No. 23-411-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Ofc. Michael Zmayefski represented the Local Issuing Authority, Town Manager Mary Calorio, Town of Danielson.

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 Mr. Gray, motion passed unanimously.

6) Case No. 23-414-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Cpt. Douglas Sauve represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell A. Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection with one witness.

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 Mr. Gray, motion passed unanimously.

7) Case No. 23-417-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Trp.Cory Brennan represented the Local Issuing Authority, Sgt. Johnathan Neihengen Town of Tolland.

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 Mr. Gray, motion passed unanimously.

8) Case No. 23-129-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman. Sgt. John Iommazzo represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Fernando Spagnolo, Waterbury Police Department.

Continued: After a discussion about the erasure statute, both parties will bring this to the AG’s attention for legal advice. Date to be determined. 

Secretary’s Report:

Board Secretary Col. Overturf made a motion to accept the minutes from December 12, 2024, seconded by Dr. Conrad. motion carried. Ms. Johnson abstained. Vote 5-1 to approve.

Old Business: None

 

New Business: The Board received a letter from the Governor’s office appointing Diane Whitney to the Board and will be sworn in as Chairman when she starts her appointment in March. 

Adjournment: Board Secretary Col. Overturf made a motion to adjourn seconded by Board member Mr. Gray, motion carried. Meeting ended at 11:29am.