Office of Governmental Accountability Board of Firearms Permit Examiners

PLEASE CONTACT THE BOARD IMMEDIATELY IF YOUR PERMIT WAS ISSUED OR REINSTATED PRIOR TO YOUR HEARING. THIS WILL REDUCE THE BACKLOG.

MINUTES

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS

Thursday, March 13, 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 10:03am.

Chairman Whitney read the Introductory Statement and called the roll call.  Nine appellants were present, four appellants failed to appear. Five Local Issuing Authorities were present along with the State. Two Issuing Authorities failed to appear. 

Board Members Present: Chairman Diane Whitney, Esq., Elbert Gray, Col. Chris Lewis, Col. Kyle Overturf, Chief Carl Rosensweig, and Stephen Sanetti, Esq.

Board Members Absent: Dr. Cynthia Conrad and Det. Gudrun Johnson

Chairman Diane Whitney administered the oath to all witnesses.

Hearings: Thirteen cases were heard in the following order:

1) Case No. 23-559-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Lt. Matthew Malone represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Patrick Ridenhour, Danbury Police Department.

Withdrew: The appellant withdrew his case.

2) Case No. 25-063-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 6-0 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.

3) Case No. 23-714-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. DESPP Attorney Det. Michael Evangelisti represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection with two witnesses.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the State Issuing Authority, the revocation of the pistol permit, at this time. Vote was 6-0 in favor of the State Issuing Authority.

4) Case No. 23-514-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear.  Sgt. John Iammozzo represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Fernando Spagnolo, Waterbury 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 Atty. Sanetti, motion passed unanimously 6-0.

5) Case No. 23-362a-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear.  Sgt. John Iammozzo represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Fernando Spagnolo, Waterbury 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 6-0.

6) Case No. 24-722-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Attorney Det. Michael Evangelisti represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection with one witness.

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 Col. Lewis, motion passed unanimously 6-0.

7) Case No. 23-733-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed toappear. DESPP Attorney Det. Michael Evangelisti represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

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 Col. Lewis, motion passed unanimously 6-0.

8) Case No. 23-759-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. There was no one to represent the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Roderick Porter, Bridgeport Police Department.

Motion: Board Secretary Col. Overturf made a motion for the Appellant, by default, due to the Local Issuing Authority failing to appear. Motion was seconded by Col. Lewis, motion passed by majority, Chief Rosensweig vote against the motion. Motion passed 5-1 in favor of the appellant.

9) Case No. 23-760-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. There was no one to represent the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Roderick Porter, Bridgeport Police Department.

Motion: Board Secretary Col. Overturf made a motion for the Appellant, by default, due to the Local Issuing Authority failing to appear. Motion was seconded by Mr. Gray, motion passed by majority, Chief Rosensweig vote against the motion. Motion passed 5-1 in favor of the appellant.

10) Case No. 23-555-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Lt. Arthur Weisgerber represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief James Walsh, Norwalk Police Department.

Decision: By a tie vote (3-3), the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Norwalk to issue the permit.  Mr. Gray, Col. Lewis, and Col. Overturf voted in favor of the appellant. Chief Rosensweig, Atty. Sanetti, and Chairman Whitney voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Vote was 3-3, tie vote goes in favor of the appellant.

11) Case No. 23-465-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman. Det. Sgt. Jeff Lampson represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Osanitsch, Windsor Locks.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Windsor Locks to issue the permit.  Vote was 5-0 in favor of the appellant. Chief Rosensweig recused himself from this case. 

1:05pm - Board member Mr. Gray left the hearing.

12) Case No. 23-458-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. Christopher Chastang represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Patrick Daley, Norwich Police Department.

Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted to find in favor of the appellant. Chairman Whitney, Col. Lewis, Col. Overturf, and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Appellant Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.  Vote was 4-1 in favor of the Appellant.

13) Case No. 23-434-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. Christopher Chastang represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Patrick Daley, Norwich Police Department.

Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the Local Issuing Authority, the denial of the pistol permit. Chairman Whitney, Col. Overturf, and Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Col. Lewis and Atty. Sanetti, voted in favor of the Appellant. Vote was 3-2. in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.

 

Secretary’s Report:

Board Secretary Col. Overturf made a motion to accept the minutes from March 6, 2025, seconded by Atty. Sanetti. motion carried. Vote 5-0 to approve.

Old Business: None

New Business: Discussed new legislation for the Board of Firearms Permit Examiners.

Adjournment: Board Secreatary Overturf made a motion to adjourn seconded by Board member Col. Lewis, motion carried. Meeting ended at 1:58pm.