Office of Governmental Accountability Board of Firearms Permit Examiners

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MINUTES

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS

Thursday, June 5, 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.  Nine appellants were present, three appellants failed to appear. Eight Local Issuing Authorities were present along with the State.

Board Members Present: Chairman Atty, Diane Whitney., Dr. Cynthia Conrad, Elbert Gray, Col. Kyle Overturf, Chief Carl Rosensweig, and Stephen Sanetti, Esq.

Board Members Absent: Det. Gudrun Johnson and Col. Chris Lewis

Chairman Diane Whitney administered the oath to all witnesses.

Hearings: Twelve cases were heard in the following order:

1) Case No. 24-134-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. DESPP Det. Brindiana Warenda represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Continued: This case has been continued to August 21, 2025.

2) Case No. 22-266-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. DESPP Det. Brindiana Warenda represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Withdrew: The appellant withdrew his appeal.

3) Case No. 24-062-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Det. Jon Femia represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Roberto Rosado, Meriden Police Department with one witness.

Withdrew: The appellant withdrew his appeal.

4) Case No. 23-666-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman.  Atty. Ken Slater represented the Local Issuing Authority, Putnam Mayor Norman Seney, Town of Putnam.

Motion: Board Secretary Kyle Overturf made a motion for the Appellant due to not finding any evidence that the appellant was unsuitable, seconded by Mr. Gray. Motion carried unanimously.

5) Case No. 25-552-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Rachel M. Baird, Esq.  Chief Marc Petruzzi represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Marc Petruzzi, Vernon Police Department with one witness.

Motion: Board member Atty. Sanetti made a motion for the Appellant due to not finding any evidence that the appellant was unsuitable, seconded by Mr. Gray. Motion carried unanimously.

6) Case No. 23-651-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman, Esq. with one witness.  Det. Jon Femia represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Roberto Rosado, Meriden 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.

7) Case No. 24-183-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. DESPP Det. Brindiana Warenda 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 Mr. Gray, motion passed unanimously.

8) Case No. 24-151-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Det. Brindiana Warenda 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 Mr. Gray, motion passed unanimously.

9) Case No. 24-137-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear.  Det. John Williams represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Roberto Rosado, Meriden 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 Mr. Gray, motion passed unanimously.

10) Case No. 24-025-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Timothy Brignole, Esq. First Selectman Eden Wimpfheimer represented the Local Issuing Authority, First Selectman Eden Wimpfheimer, Town of East Granby.

Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered the Town of East Granby to issue the permit.  Mr. Gray, Col. Overturf, Chief Rosensweig and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Appellant. Dr. Conrad voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Vote was 4-1 in favor of the appellant. Atty. Sanetti took over as the Acting Chairman, as Chairman Whitney recused herself from this case. 

11) Case No. 24-044-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 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, at this time.

12) Case No. 23-772-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman.  Atty. Ken Slater represented the Local Issuing Authority, Putnam Mayor Norman Seney, Town of Putnam.

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 member Atty. Sanetti made a motion to accept the minutes from May 22, 2025, seconded by Chief Rosensweig. motion carried. Dr. Conrad and Col. Overturf abstained. Vote 4-0-2 to approve.

 

Old Business: None

 

New Business: Discussion about a timely appeal due to the 90-day statute. Statute stands and the appeal cannot be filed. 

 

Adjournment: Board member Chief Rosensweig made a motion to adjourn seconded by Board Secretary Col. Overturf, motion carried. Meeting ended at 2:36pm.