MINUTES
OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY
BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS
Thursday, July 10, 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 10:04am.
Chairman Whitney read the Introductory Statement and called the roll call. Eight appellants were present. Seven Local Issuing Authorities were present along with the State.
Board Members Present: Chairman Diane Whitney, Esq., Dr. Cynthia Conrad, Elbert Gray, Chief Carl Rosensweig, and Stephen Sanetti, Esq.
Board Members Absent: Det. Gudrun Johnson, Col. Chris Lewis, and Col. Kyle Overturf
Chairman Diane Whitney administered the oath to all witnesses.
Hearings: Eight cases were heard in the following order:
1) Case No. 24-165-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Gregory J. Miller. Sgt. Elias Martz represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Erik Costa, Middletown Police Department.
Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant. Dr. Conrad, Mr. Gray and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Appellant. Chairman Whitney and Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Vote was 3-2 in favor of the appellant and ordered Middletown to issue the permit.
2) Case No. 24-066-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared with her husband as her spokesperson. 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. Chairman Whitney, Dr. Conrad, Mr. Gray and Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the State Issuing Authority, Atty. Sanetti abstained from the vote. Vote was 4-0-1.
3) Case No. 24-172-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.
Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.
4) Case No. 25-502-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 Local Issuing Authority.
5) Case No. 24-193-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. Emery represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Jonathan Mulhern, Branford Police Department
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Branford to issue the permit. Vote was 5-0 in favor of the appellant.
6) Case No. 24-153-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Captain Andrew Power represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Donald Melanson, Windsor Police Department.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Windsor to issue the permit. Vote was 5-0 in favor of the appellant.
7) Case No. 24-167-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Tpr. Konow represented the Local Issuing Authority, First Selectman Bob Carlson, Town of North Stonington.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered North Stonington to issue the permit. Vote was 5-0 in favor of the appellant.
8) Case No. 25-637-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. First Selectman Martha Shoemaker represented the Local Issuing Authority, First Selectman Martha Shoemaker, Town of Old Lyme with 2 witnesses.
Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case, Old Lyme will issue.
Secretary’s Report:
Board member Dr. Conrad made a motion to accept the minutes from June 26, 2025, seconded by Atty. Sanetti. motion carried. Vote 4-0-1 to approve., Mr. Gray abstained.
Old Business: None
New Business: Det. Gudrun Johnson will be resigning from the Board of Firearms Permit Examiners as of October 1, 2025.
Adjournment: Board Chairman Whitney made a motion to adjourn seconded by Board member Mr. Gray, motion carried. Meeting ended at 3:00pm.