MINUTES
OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY
BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS
Thursday, March 6, 2025, 10am
Connecticut State Office Building
165 Capitol Ave., Room C, Hartford, CT 06106
Special Hearing
Acting Chairman Stephen Sanetti swears in the new Chairman of the Board of Firearms Permit Examiners, Diane Whitney.
Call to Order:
Chairman Diane Whitney calls the meeting to order at 10:05am.
Chairman Whitney read the Introductory Statement and called the roll call. Five appellants were present, three appellants failed to appear. Four Local Issuing Authorities were present along with the State. One Local Issuing Authority failed to appear.
Board Members Present: Chairman Diane Whitney, Esq., Mr. Elbert Gray, Det. Gudrun Johnson, Col. Chris Lewis, Col. Kyle Overturf, Chief Carl Rosensweig, and Stephen Sanetti, Esq.
Board Members Absent: Dr. Cynthia Conrad
Chairman Diane Whitney administered the oath to all appellants and witnesses.
Hearings: Eight cases were heard in the following order:
1) Case No. 23-487-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. DESPP Legal Staff Attorney Evan Fisher 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.
2) Case No. 23-498-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Det. George Stamatien represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Jay DelGrosso, Stonington Police Department.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Stonington to issue the permit. Vote was 7-0 in favor of the appellant.
3) Case No. 23-778-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Sgt. Michael Sigrist represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Roderick Porter, Bridgeport Police Department with one witness.
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 Atty. Sanetti, motion passed unanimously.
4) Case No. 23-436-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. No one was present for the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Fernando Spagnolo, Waterbury Police Department.
Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his appeal, due to an automatic disqualifier.
5) Case No. 23-614-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Legal Staff Attorney Evan Fisher represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
Motion: Board member Atty. Sanetti 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.
6) Case No. 23-306-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. No one was present for the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Fernando Spagnolo, Waterbury Police Department.
Marked Off: Due to no one appearing for this hearing, this case has been marked off.
7) Case No. 23-520-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Det. Lt. Ethan Mable represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Patrick Ridenhour, Danbury Police Department with one witness (AP).
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.
8) Case No. 23-316-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Det. Lt. Ethan Mable 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.
Secretary’s Report:
Board member Atty. Sanetti made a motion to accept the minutes from February 20. 2025, seconded by Mr. Gray motion carried. Chairman Whitney abstained. Vote 6-0-1 to approve.
Old Business: None
New Business: None
Adjournment: Board Secretary Overturf made a motion to adjourn seconded by Board member Atty. Sanetti, motion carried. Meeting ended at 12:10pm.