MINUTES
OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY
BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS
Thursday, May 8, 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 10:00am.
Chairman Whitney read the Introductory Statement and called the roll call. Eight appellants were present, two appellants failed to appear. Seven Local Issuing Authorities were present along with the State.
Board Members Present: Chairman Diane Whitney, Esq., Dr. Cynthia Conrad, Elbert Gray, Col. Chris Lewis, Col. Kyle Overturf, Chief Carl Rosensweig, and Stephen Sanetti, Esq.
Board Members Absent: Det. Gudrun Johnson
Chairman Diane Whitney administered the oath to all witnesses.
Hearings: Ten cases were heard in the following order:
1) Case No. 23-585-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by James W. Cummings, Esq. Chief Karen Krasicky represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Karen Krasicky, Plymouth Police Department.
Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the Issuing Authority. Dr. Conrad, Mr. Gray, and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Appellant. Col. Lewis, Col, Overturf Chief Rosensweig and Chairman Whitney voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Vote was 4-3 in favor of the Issuing Authority.
2) Case No. 23-795-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman, Esq. Chief Marshall Porter represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Marshall Porter, Glastonbury Police Department.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Glastonbury to issue the permit. Vote was 7-0 in favor of the appellant.
3) Case No. 23-792-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Lt. Nicole Van Overloop represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Marc Balestracci, Waterford Police Department.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Waterford to issue the permit. Vote was 7-0 in favor of the appellant.
4) Case No. 24-591-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Lt. Nicole Van Overloop represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Marc Balestracci, Waterford 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.
5) Case No. 24-024-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. Elias Martz represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Erik Costa, Middletown Police Department.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Middletown to issue the permit. Vote was 7-0 in favor of the appellant.
6) Case No. 23-735-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Deputy Chief James Bonney. represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief James Heavy, Greenwich Police Department.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Greenwich to issue the permit. Vote was 7-0 in favor of the appellant.
7) Case No. 23-796-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman, Esq. Det. Miscioscia represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Timothy Shaw, Stamford Police Department.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Stamford to issue the permit. Vote was 7-0 in favor of the appellant.
8) Case No. 23-616-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Det. Michael Evangelisti represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
Motion: Board Secretary 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. 24-085-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. 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.
10) Case No. 24-086-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. 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.
Secretary’s Report:
Board Secretary Col. Overturf made a motion to accept the minutes from April 24, 2025, seconded by Mr. Gray. motion carried. Vote 6-0-1 to approve. Col. Lewis abstained from the vote.
Old Business: None
New Business: Discussed pending legislation for BFPE
Adjournment: Board Secretary Col. Overturf made a motion to adjourn seconded by Board Chairman Whitney, motion carried. Meeting ended at 1:40pm.