September 4 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, September 4, 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 10:03am.

Chairman Whitney read the Introductory Statement and called the roll call. Nine appellants were present, five appellants failed to appear. One Local Issuing Authority failed to appear. Ten 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: Fourteen cases were heard in the following order:

1) Case No. 24-416-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. DESPP Det. Brindiana Warenda represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

2) Case No. 24-449-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. DESPP Det. Brindiana Warenda represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Continuance: This case has been continued to January 22, 2026.

3) Case No. 24-398-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. Daniel Doyon represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief William Darby, Manchester Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

4) Case No. 24-330-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. Michael represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Roderick Porter, Bridgeport Police Department with one witness.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case as Bridgeport will issue.

5) Case No. 24-409-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Cpt. Zachary Klomberg represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Paul Hammick, Bloomfield 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 Chief Rosensweig, motion passed unanimously.

6) Case No. 24-440-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Det. Brindiana Warenda 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 Local Issuing Authority, by default, due to the appellant failing to appear. Motion was seconded by Mr. Gray, motion passed unanimously.

7) Case No. 24-100-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Ofc. Joseph Maldonado represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Patrick Daley, Norwich Police Department.

8) Case No. 24-708-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman. Mary Pokorski, Asst. Corp. Counsel, represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Matthew Marino, New Britain Police Department with one witness.

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, Col. Lewis, Col. Overturf, and Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Mr. Gray and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Appellant. Vote was 5-2 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.

9) Case No. 24-359-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Mary Pokorski, Asst. Corp. Counsel, represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Matthew Marino, New Britain Police Department with one witness.

10) Case No. 24-530-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf. No one represented the Local Issuing Authority, Town Manager Mary Calorio, Danielson Town Hall.

Motion: Board Secretary Col. Overturf made a motion for the Appellant, by default, due to the Local Issuing Authority failing to appear. Motion was seconded by Mr. Gray, motion passed unanimously.

11) Case No. 24-427-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Ofc. Joseph Maldonado represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Patrick Daley, Norwich Police Department.

12) Case No. 24-277-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Town Atty. Jane Marsh represented the Local Issuing Authority, First Selectman Carol Doak-Jones, Deep River Town Hall with one witness.

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

13) Case No. 24-395-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Lt. Scott Smith represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief David Kullgren, Newtown Department of Police Services.

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

14) Case No. 24-399-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Det. George Stamatien represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Jay DelGrosso, Stonington Police Department.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Burlington 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 August 21, 2025, seconded by Atty. Sanetti. motion carried. Vote 6-0-1 to approve, Chief Rosensweig abstained.

Old Business: None

New Business: Discussion about a new representative from DESPP starting in October.

Adjournment: Board Secretary Col. Overturf made a motion to adjourn seconded by Board member Mr. Gray, motion carried. Meeting ended at 11:57am.

Office of Governmental Accountability Board of Firearms Permit Examiners