Office of Governmental Accountability Board of Firearms Permit Examiners

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April 23 2026 Minutes

MINUTES

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS

Thursday, April 23, 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 10:00am.

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

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

Board Members Absent: Elbert Gray

Chairman Diane Whitney administered the oath to all witnesses.

Hearings: Twelve cases were heard in the following order:

1) Case No. 25-314-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Michael Brown, Esq. DESPP Sgt. Brianna Maurice represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

2) Case No. 25-227-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Det. Dan Brown represented the Local Issuing Authority, First Selectman Michael Pelton, Town of Portland.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case, Portland will issue.

3) Case No. 25-280-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.

4) Case No. 25-239-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.

Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Waterbury to issue the permit. Chairman Whitney, Dr. Conrad, Col. Overturf, and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the appellant.  Atty. Evangelisti and Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Vote was 4-2 in favor of the appellant.

5) Case No. 25-264-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Cpt. John Laughlin represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief William Derby, Manchester Police Department.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the Local Issuing Authority, at this time, the denial of the pistol permit. Vote was 6-0 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.

6) Case No. 25-235-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.

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 Atty. Sanetti, motion passed unanimously.

7) Case No. 25-252-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Cpt. John Laughlin represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief William Derby, Manchester Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

8) Case No. 25-302-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf.  DESPP Sgt. Brianna Maurice 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 6-0 in favor of State Issuing Authority.

9) Case No. 25-226-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Det. Jon Femia represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Roberto Rosado, Meriden Police Department with one witness.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the Local Issuing Authority, at this time, the denial of the pistol permit. Vote was 6-0 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.

10) Case No. 25-221-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  DESPP Sgt. Brianna Maurice 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 6-0 in favor of State Issuing Authority.

11) Case No. 24-716-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  DESPP Sgt. Brianna Maurice 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 6-0 in favor of State Issuing Authority.

12) Case No. 24-713-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Det. Victoria Ryan represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Jeffery Kreitz, Ridgefield Police Department.

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

 

Secretary’s Report:

Board member Atty. Sanetti made a motion to accept the minutes from April 2, 2026, seconded by Col. Overturf. motion carried. Vote 6-0 to approve.

 

Old Business: None

 

New Business:

 

Adjournment: Board member Dr. Conrad made a motion to adjourn seconded by Board member Atty. Sanetti, motion carried. Meeting ended at 3:17pm.