Office of Governmental Accountability Board of Firearms Permit Examiners

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February 19 2026 Minutes

MINUTES

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS

Thursday, February 19, 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.  Six appellants were present, two appellants failed to appear. Four 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, and Stephen Sanetti, Esq.

Board Members Absent: Chief Carl Rosensweig

Chairman Diane Whitney administered the oath to all witnesses.

Hearings: Eight cases were heard in the following order:

1) Case No. 25-037-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Sgt. Justin Santiago represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Mack Hawkins, East Hartford Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

2) Case No. 25-091-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.

3) Case No. 25-109-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.

4) Case No. 26-094-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf with one witness.  Chief Alaric Fox represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Alaric Fox, Enfield Police Department with three witnesses.

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 6-0 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.

5) Case No. 25-088-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.

6) Case No. 25-111-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant and Atty. Norris 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 State Issuing Authority, by default, due to the appellant failing to appear. Motion was seconded by Mr. Gray, motion passed unanimously.

7) Case No. 25-024-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear.  Sgt. Elias Martz represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Erik Costa, Middletown 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.

8) Case No. 25-029-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 in favor of the appellant and ordered Middletown to issue the permit.  Vote was 6-0 in favor of the appellant.

 

Secretary’s Report:

Board Secretary Col. Overturf made a motion to accept the minutes from February 5, 2026, seconded by Mr. Gray. motion carried. Vote 6-0 to approve.

 

Old Business: None

New Business: Adding another denial to each docket.

Adjournment: Board Secretary Col. Overturf made a motion to adjourn seconded by Board member Atty. Sanetti, motion carried. Meeting ended at 11:44am.