Office of Governmental Accountability Board of Firearms Permit Examiners

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MINUTES

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS

Thursday, November 6, 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. Ten Local Issuing Authorities were present along with the State.

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

Board Members Absent: None

Chairman Diane Whitney administered the oath to all witnesses.

Hearings: Twelve cases were heard in the following order:

1) Case No. 24-644-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. DESPP Detective Brindiana Warenda represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his appeal.  

2) Case No. 24-575-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. DESPP Detective Brindiana Warenda represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his appeal.  

3) Case No. 24-563-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Chief Vincent DeMaio represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Vincent DeMaio, Clinton 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, Dr. Conrad, Atty. Evangelisti, Col. Overturf, Chief Rosensweig and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.  Mr. Gray and Col. Lewis voted in favor of the Appellant. Vote was 6-2 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.

4) Case No. 24-497-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman.  Chief Frederick Sifodaskalakis represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Frederick Sifodaskalakis, Cromwell Police Department with one witness.

Motion: Dr. Conrad made a motion to continue this case, no one seconded the motion, so the motion failed. Mr. Gray made a motion for the appellant, seconded by Atty. Sanetti, after a discussion whether to continue with the appeal the Board took a vote (5 against-3 for) and voted to go forward with the appeal and the motion for the appellant again failed. 

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, Dr. Conrad, Atty. Evangelisti, Col. Overturf, and Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.  Mr. Gray, Col. Lewis and Atty. Sanetti, Esq. voted in favor of the Appellant. Vote was 5-3 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.

5) Case No. 24-617-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Sgt. Michael Sigrist represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Roderick Porter, Bridgeport Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his appeal. 

6) Case No. 24-554-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear.  Lt. Joseph Ficacelli represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Mack Hawkins, East Hartford 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.

7) Case No. 24-588-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear.  Lt. Joseph Ficacelli represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Mack Hawkins, East Hartford 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

8) Case No. 24-391-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear.  Det. Sgt. Kyle Johnson represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief William Baldwin, Torrington 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.

9) Case No. 24-144-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman.  Lt. Arthur Weisgerber represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief James Walsh, Norwalk Police Department.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Norwalk to issue the permit.  Vote was 8-0 in favor of the appellant.

10) Case No. 24-522-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 unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the Local Issuing Authority, the denial of the pistol permit. Vote was 8-0 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.

11) Case No. 24-264-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman with 1witness. Cpt, Andrew Power represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Donald Melanson, Windsor 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 8-0 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.

12) Case No. 24-528-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Gregory Miller. Lt. Matthew Falcon represented the Local Issuing Authority Chief Kevin Glenn, North Haven Police Department with 2 witnesses.

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, Atty. Evangelisti, Col. Lewis, Col. Overturf, and Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.  Dr. Conrad, Mr. Gray, and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Appellant. Vote was 5-3 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.

 

Secretary’s Report:

Board member Atty. Sanetti made a motion to accept the minutes from October 16, 2025, seconded by Col. Lewis. motion carried. Mr. Gray and Dr. Conrad abstained. Vote 6-0-2 to approve.

Old Business: None

New Business: Wishing Col. Lewis well on his new position in Alabama. 

 

Adjournment: Board member Col. Lewis made a motion to adjourn seconded by Board Secretary Col. Overturf, motion carried. Meeting ended at 2:42pm.