Office of Governmental Accountability Board of Firearms Permit Examiners

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MINUTES

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS

Thursday, January 22, 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 10:05am.

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

Board Members Present: Chairman Diane Whitney, Esq., Dr. Cynthia Conrad, Elbert Gray, Det. Michael Evangelisti, and Chief Carl Rosensweig.

Board Members Absent: Col. Kyle Overturf and Stephen Sanetti, Esq.

Chairman Diane Whitney administered the oath to all witnesses.

Hearings: Nine cases were heard in the following order:

1) Case No. 24-764-SD, involving the state denial of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. DESPP Det. Christopher Centi represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

2) Case No. 24-698-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf.  Chief Christopher Ciuci represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Christopher Ciuci, Winchester Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew her case.

3) Case No. 24-346-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 majority decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Middletown to issue the permit.  Dr. Conrad, Mr. Gray, and Atty. Evangelisti voted in favor of the Appellant. Chairman Whitney and Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Vote was 3-2 in favor of the appellant.

4) Case No. 25-022-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Det. Christopher 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. 25-003-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Det. Christopher 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. 25-054-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear.  Chief John Rich represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief John Rich, Ledyard 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. 24-699-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear.  Det. George Stamatien represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Jay DelGrosso, Stonington 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.

8) Case No. 24-660-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. Justin Hilchuk represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Rafael Medina, Wethersfield Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

9) Case No. 24-612-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her 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 Local Issuing Authority. Chairman Whitney, Dr. Conrad, Atty. Evangelisti and Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority Appellant. Mr. Gray voted in favor of the Appellant. Vote was 4-1 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.

Secretary’s Report:

Board member Dr. Conrad made a motion to accept the minutes from January 8, 2026, seconded by Mr. Gray motion carried. Vote 5-0 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 11:47am.