April 2 2026 Minutes
MINUTES
OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY
BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS
Thursday, April 2, 2026, 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. 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, Det. Michael Evangelisti, Col. Kyle Overturf, Chief Carl Rosensweig, and Stephen Sanetti, Esq.
Board Members Absent: None
Chairman Diane Whitney administered the oath to all witnesses.
Hearings: Ten cases were heard in the following order:
1) Case No. 25-224-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. 25-173-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf. Chief Nicholas Boulter represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Nicholas Boulter, Simsbury 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. 25-203-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Trp. Alexander Ricciardi represented the Local Issuing Authority, First Selectman Jason Hayes, Town of East Granby.
Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered East Granby to issue the permit. Dr. Conrad, Atty. Evangelisti, Mr. Gray Col. Overturf and Atty. Sanetti, voted in favor of the Appellant. Chairman Whitney and Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Vote was 5-2 in favor of the appellant.
4) Case No. 25-231-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 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.
5) Case No. 25-171-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Det. Kevin Connor represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Joshua Bernegger, Watertown Police Department.
Motion: Board Secretary 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. 25-204-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. John Iommazzo represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Fernando Spagnolo, Waterbury Police Department.
Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.
7) Case No. 24-580-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman, with one witness. Cpt. Jeremy York represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief John Drumm, Madison Police. Department.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Madison to issue the permit. Vote was 7-0 in favor of the appellant.
8) Case No. 25-256-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf. DESPP Det. Brindiana Warenda represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection with one witness.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the State Issuing Authority, the revocation of the pistol permit. Vote was 7-0 in favor of the State Issuing Authority.
9) Case No. 25-213-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Det. James Thurston represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Paul Hammick, Bloomfield Police Department.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Bloomfield to issue the permit. Vote was 7-0 in favor of the appellant.
10) Case No. 25-137-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. Jeff Chant represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Matthew Carl, East Windsor Police Department.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered East Windsor to issue the permit. Vote was 7-0 in favor of the appellant.
Secretary’s Report:
Board member Atty. Sanetti made a motion to accept the minutes from March 19, 2026, seconded by Mr. Gray. motion carried. Atty. Evangelisti abstained. Vote 6-1 to approve.
Old Business: None
New Business: None
Adjournment: Board member Dr. Conrad made a motion to adjourn seconded by Board member Mr. Gray, motion carried. Meeting ended at 1:15pm.