MINUTES
OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY
BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS
Thursday, July 24, 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 10:02am.
Chairman Whitney read the Introductory Statement and called the roll call. Eleven appellants were present, two appellants failed to appear. Eleven Local Issuing Authorities were present along with the State.
Board Members Present: Chairman Diane Whitney, Esq., Dr. Cynthia Conrad, Elbert Gray, Col. Chris Lewis, Col. Kyle Overturf, Chief Carl Rosensweig, and Stephen Sanetti, Esq.
Board Members Absent: Det. Gudrun Johnson
Hearings: Thirteen cases were heard in the following order:
1) Case No. 24-285-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. DESPP Legal Staff Attorney Jennifer Miller represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.
2) Case No. 25-403-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.
Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.
3) Case No. 24-207-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.
Motion: Col Overturf made a motion for the Appellant due to Bridgeport now finding him suitable. The motion was seconded by Atty. Sanetti, motion passed unanimously.
4) Case No. 24-168-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Det. Lt. Malone represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Patrick Ridenhour, Danbury Police Department.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Danbury to issue the permit. Vote was 7-0 in favor of the appellant.
5) Case No. 24-242-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Craig C. Fishbein, Esq. Dep. Chief James Bonney represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief James J. Heavey, Greenwich Police Department.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Danbury to issue the permit. Vote was 7-0 in favor of the appellant.
6) Case No. 25-300-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Legal Staff Attorney Jennifer Miller represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection with 2 witnesses.
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 Mr. Gray, motion passed unanimously.
7) Case No. 23-756-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.
Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case
8) Case No. 24-230-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Chief of Staff, Xiomara Capo represented the Local Issuing Authority, Town Manager Jim Rivers, Town of Windham with one witness.
Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Windham to issue. Dr. Conrad, Mr. Gray, Col. Lewis, Col. Overturf and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Appellant. Chairman Whitney and Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Vote was 5-2 in favor of the appellant.
9) Case No. 24-218-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf with one witness. Sgt. John Iommazzo represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Fernando Spagnolo, Waterbury Police Department.
Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Windham to issue. Dr. Conrad, Mr. Gray, Col. Lewis, Col. Overturf, Chief Rosensweig and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Appellant. Chairman Whitney voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Vote was 6-1 in favor of the appellant.
10) Case No. 24-224-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Paul V. Carty with one witness. Sgt. John Iommazzo represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Fernando Spagnolo, Waterbury Police Department.
The Chairman administered the oath to the remaining people in the room.
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.
11) Case No. 24-312-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Chief Marc Petruzzi represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Marc Petruzzi, Vernon Police Department.
Motion: Board Secretary Col. 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.
12) Case No. 25-080-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman, Esq. 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.
13) Case No. 24-315-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. 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.
Secretary’s Report:
Board member Atty. Sanetti made a motion to accept the minutes from July 10, 2025, seconded by Mr. Gray, motion carried. Col. Overturf and Col. Lewis abstained Vote 5-0-2 to approve.
Old Business: None
New Business: Discussed audit of agency
Discussion about reducing backlog
Contact AG’s for writ of mandamus for Wethersfield
Det. Johnson’s resignation
Adjournment: Board member Col. Lewis made a motion to adjourn seconded by Board member Mr. Gray, motion carried. Meeting ended at 1:57pm.