Office of Governmental Accountability Board of Firearms Permit Examiners

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MINUTES

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS

Thursday, September 18, 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 10:05am.

Chairman Whitney read the Introductory Statement and called the roll call.  Four appellants were present, four 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, Det. Gudrun Johnson, Col. Chris Lewis, Col. Kyle Overturf, and Chief Carl Rosensweig.

Board Members Absent: Stephen Sanetti, Esq.

Chairman Diane Whitney administered the oath to all witnesses.

Hearings: Eight cases were heard in the following order:

1) Case No. 24-402-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Chief John Puglisi represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief John Puglisi, Brookfield Police Department.

Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Brookfield to issue.  Chairman Whitney, Dr. Conrad, Mr. Gray, Det. Johnson, Col. Lewis, and Col Overturf, voted in favor of the Appellant. Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Vote was 6-1 in favor of the appellant.

2) Case No. 24-486-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Det. David DuBord represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Jeffery Kreitz, Ridgefield 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 7-0 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.

3) Case No. 24-476-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Sgt. Brianna Maurice 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.

4) Case No. 23-576-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear.  Chief Stephen Pugner represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Stephen Pugner, Bethel 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 Det. Johnson, motion passed unanimously.

5) Case No. 24-401-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear.  Lt. Art Weisgerber represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief James Walsh, Norwalk 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.

6) Case No. 24-441-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear.  Det. Dan Bontempo represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Eric Osanitsch, Windsor Locks 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. 24-450-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Det. Dan Bontempo represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Eric Osanitsch, Windsor Locks 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 7-0 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.

8) Case No. 24-437-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Ofc. Mumm represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief William Baldwin, Torrington Police Department.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Torrington to issue the permit.  Vote was 7-0 in favor of the appellant.

 

Secretary’s Report:

Board Secretary Col. Overturf made a motion to accept the minutes from September 4, 2025 seconded by Mr. Gray. motion carried. Ms. Johnson abstained. Vote 6-1 to approve.

 

Old Business: None

 

New Business: Goodbye to Det. Johnson

 

Adjournment: Board member Col. Lewis made a motion to adjourn seconded by Board member Mr. Gray, motion carried. Meeting ended at 12:04pm.