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, May 22, 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 10:01am.

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

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

Board Members Absent: Dr. Cynthia Conrad and Col. Kyle Overturf

Chairman Diane Whitney administered the oath to all witnesses.

Hearings: Nine cases were heard in the following order:

1) Case No. 24-154-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. DESPP Legal Staff Attorney John Grasso represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his appeal.

2) Case No. 24-216-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf.  Chief James Canon Jr. represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief James Canon Jr., Suffield Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew her appeal.

3) Case No. 24-057-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Det. Leslie Silva represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Jeremiah Marron, Jr., Darien Police Department.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Darien to issue the permit.  Vote was 6-0 in favor of the appellant.

4) Case No. 23-749-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Lt. Katherine Relrey represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Spencer Cerruto, New Milford 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, Det. Johnson, Col. Lewis, Chief Rosensweig and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.  Mr. Gray voted in favor of the Appellant. Vote was 5-1 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.

5) Case No. 23-243-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 a majority decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the Local Issuing Authority, the denial of the pistol permit. Chairman Whitney, Det. Johnson, Col. Lewis, and      Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.  Mr. Gray and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Appellant. Vote was 4-2 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.

6) Case No. 24-045-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Trp. Joseph Adams represented the Local Issuing Authority, First Selectman Thomas Sparkman, Town of Lisbon.

Motion: Board member Det. Johnson 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.

7) Case No. 24-115-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Town Administrator Mark Walter represented the Local Issuing Authority, First Selectman Steven Everett, Town of Columbia.

Motion: Board member Det. Johnson 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.

8) Case No. 24-053-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Sgt. Michael Sigrist Police Department represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Roderick Porter, Bridgeport Police Department.

Motion: Board member Det. Johnson made a motion to default to the Local Issuing Authority, due to being arrested on site with an active warrant out of Greenwich. Motion was seconded by Mr. Gray, motion passed unanimously.

9) Case No. 24-018-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Sgt. Michael Sigrist Police Department represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Roderick Porter, Bridgeport Police Department.

Motion: Board member Det. Johnson 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.

Secretary’s Report:

Board member Atty. Sanetti made a motion to accept the minutes from May 8, 2025, seconded by Mr. Gray motion carried. Ms. Johnson abstained. Vote 5-0-1 to approve.

Old Business: None

New Business: Discussed the confusion on the erasure statute. Waiting for a decision from the Attorney General’s office.

Adjournment: Board member Col. Lewis made a motion to adjourn seconded by Board member Mr. Gray, motion carried. Meeting ended at 11:42am.

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