August 13 2026 Minutes

MINUTES

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS

Thursday, August 13, 2026, 10am

Special meeting

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 10:06am.

Chairman Diane Whitney swore in Col. Brian Newman to Board of Firearms Permit Examiners.

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

Board Members Present: Chairman Diane Whitney, Esq., Elbert Gray, Col. Brian Newman, Chief Carl Rosensweig, and Stephen Sanetti, Esq.

Board Members Absent: Dr. Cynthia Conrad, Det. Michael Evangelisti and Col. Kyle Overturf.

Chairman Diane Whitney administered the oath to all witnesses.

Hearings: Ten cases were heard in the following order:

1) Case No. 25-524-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 majority decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the Local Issuing Authority, the denial of the pistol permit. Chairman Whitney, Col. Newman, and Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.  Mr. Gray and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Appellant. Vote was 3-2 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.

2) Case No. 25-531-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. Meucci represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Mack Hawkins, East Hartford Police Department.

Continuance: This case has been continued to November 5, 2026.

3) Case No. 25-485-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Jihan Carswell, Esq. DESPP Legal Staff Attorney Jennifer Miller, Esq. 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.

4) Case No. 25-424-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Det. Chris Centi represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Motion: Board member Chief Rosensweig 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. 25-692-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Det. Chris Centi represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Motion: Board member Chief Rosensweig 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

6) Case No. 25-561-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear.  Det. James Thurston represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Paul Hammick, Bloomfield Police Department.

Motion: Board member Chief Rosensweig 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. 25-385-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by David Cutillo, Esq.  Sgt. Elias Martz represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Erik Costa, Middletown Police Department.

Continuance: This case has been continued to November 5, 2026.

8) Case No. 25-446-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by CT Labor Services, John Cronin, Esq.  Sgt. Elias Martz represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Erik Costa, Middletown Police Department.

Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the Local Issuing Authority, the denial of the pistol permit., Mr. Gray, Col. Newman, Chief Rosensweig and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.  Chairman Whitney voted in favor of the Appellant. Vote was 4-1 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.

9) Case No. 25-553-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Sgt. Elias Martz represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Erik Costa, Middletown 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.

10) Case No. 25-581-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Sgt. Elias Martz represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Erik Costa, Middletown Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

Secretary’s Report:

Atty. Sanetti made a motion to accept the minutes from July 23, 2026, seconded by Mr. Gray, motion carried. Vote 4-0-1 to approve. Col. Newman abstained.

 

Old Business: None

 

New Business: None

 

Adjournment: Chief Rosensweig made a motion to adjourn seconded by Mr. Gray, motion carried. Meeting ended at 1:04pm.