MINUTES
OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY
BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS
Thursday, June 26, 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. Seven appellants were present, three appellants failed to appear. Nine Local Issuing Authorities were present along with the State.
Board Members Present: Chairman Diane Whitney, Esq., Dr. Cynthia Conrad, Det. Gudrun Johnson, Col. Chris Lewis, Col. Kyle Overturf, Chief Carl Rosensweig, and Stephen Sanetti, Esq.
Board Members Absent: Elbert Gray
Chairman Diane Whitney administered the oath to all witnesses.
Hearings: Ten cases were heard in the following order:
1) Case No. 23-774-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman. Chief Christopher Perry represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Christopher Perry, Newington 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 7-0 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.
2) Case No. 24-119-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf. Chief Christopher Ciuci represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Christopher Ciuci, Winchester Police Department.
Decision: By majority decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the Local Issuing Authority, the denial of the pistol permit. Chairman Diane Whitney, Dr. Conrad, Ms. Johnson, Col. Lewis, Col. Overturf, and Chief Rosensweig and voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Appellant. Vote was 6-1- in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.
3) Case No. 24-157-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Cpt. Luke Holder represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Keith Mello, Milford 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.
4) Case No. 24-256-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. 24-169-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Sgt. John Iommazzo represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Fernando Spagnolo, Waterbury 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. 23-761-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman, Esq. Chief Kristian Lindstrom represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Kristian Lindstrom, South Windsor Police Department with one witness.
Continuance: This case has been continued to August 7, 2025.
7) Case No. 24-120-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.
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 7-0 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.
8) Case No. 24-105-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 majority decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the Local Issuing Authority, the denial of the pistol permit. Chairman Diane Whitney, Ms. Johnson, Col. Lewis, Col. Overturf, Chief Rosensweig and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Dr. Conrad voted in favor of the Appellant. Vote was 6-1- in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.
12:15 Det. Gudrun Johnson left the hearing
9) Case No. 23-786-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 to uphold the decision of the Local Issuing Authority, the denial of the pistol permit. Vote was 6-0 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.
10) Case No. 24-132-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Counsel 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 to uphold the decision of the Local Issuing Authority, the denial of the pistol permit. Vote was 6-0 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.
Secretary’s Report:
Board Secretary Col. Overturf made a motion to accept the minutes from June 5, 2025, seconded by Dr. Conrad. motion carried. Vote 6-0 to approve.
Old Business: None
New Business: None
Adjournment: Board member Chief Rosensweig made a motion to adjourn seconded by Board Secretary Col. Overturf, motion carried. Meeting ended at 1:15pm.