October 2 2025 Minutes

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, October 2, 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 10:08am.

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

Chairman Whitney swore in new Board member Michael Evangelisti, Esq.

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

Board Members Absent: Dr. Cynthia Conrad and Col. Chris Lewis

Chairman Diane Whitney administered the oath to all witnesses.

Hearings: Fourteen cases were heard in the following order:

1) Case No. 24-531-SD, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. DESPP Det. Christopher Centi represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

2) Case No. 24-189-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by John C. Drapp, Esq. Sgt. Elias Martz represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Erik Costa, Middletown Police Department.

Continuance: This case has been continued to November 20, 2025.

3) Case No. 24-236-D involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her 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 6-0 in favor of the appellant.

4) Case No. 24-463-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Lt. Derek Mulcahy 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.

5) Case No. 24-542-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Det. Christopher Centi 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 Chief Rosensweig, motion passed unanimously

6) Case No. 24-552-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Det. Christopher Centi 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 Mr. Gray, motion passed unanimously

7) Case No. 24-473-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Chief John DiFederico represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief John DiFederico, New Canaan 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. 24-439-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Sgt. Elias Martz represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Erik Costa, Middletown Police Department.

9) Case No. 24-464-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Sgt. Elias Martz represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Erik Costa, Middletown Police Department.

10) Case No. 24-392-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.

11) Case No. 24-495-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Lt. Joseph Ficacelli represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Mack Hawkins, East Hartford 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, at this time.

12) Case No. 24-499-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Lt. Joseph Ficacelli represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Mack Hawkins, East Hartford Police Department.

Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered East Hartford to issue. Atty. Evangelisti, Mr. Gray, Col. Overturf, and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Appellant. Chairman Diane Whitney and Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Vote was 4-2 in favor of the appellant.

13) Case No. 24-502-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Ofc. Luis Rivera represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Edward Reynolds, Hamden Police Department.

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

14) Case No. 24-470-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Ofc. Luis Rivera represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Edward Reynolds, Hamden Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

Secretary’s Report:

Board member Atty. Sanetti made a motion to accept the minutes from September 18, 2025, seconded by Chief Rosensweig. motion carried. Vote 5-0-1 to approve.

Old Business: None

New Business: None

Adjournment: Board Secretary Col. Overturf made a motion to adjourn seconded by Board member Chief Rosensweig, motion carried. Meeting ended at 12:15pm.

Office of Governmental Accountability Board of Firearms Permit Examiners