Office of Governmental Accountability Board of Firearms Permit Examiners

PLEASE CONTACT THE BOARD IMMEDIATELY IF YOUR PERMIT WAS ISSUED OR REINSTATED PRIOR TO YOUR HEARING. THIS WILL REDUCE THE BACKLOG.

March 5 2026 Minutes Revised

MINUTES REVISED

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS

Thursday, March 5, 2026, 10am

Connecticut State Office Building

165 Capitol Ave., Room D/E, Hartford, CT 06106

 

                                                                                                                  REVISED

 

Call to Order

Chairman Diane Whitney called the meeting to order at 10:04am.

Chairman Whitney read the Introductory Statement and called the roll call.  Seven appellants were present, six appellants failed to appear. Seven 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: Thirteen cases were heard in the following order:

1) Case No. 25-141-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf.  Police Administrator Kim Littig represented the Local Issuing Authority, Town of Somers.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew her case.

2) Case No. 25-097-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Police Administrator Kim Littig represented the Local Issuing Authority, Town of Somers.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

3) Case No. 25-078-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Chief Christopher Ferace represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Christopher Ferace, Putnam Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

4) Case No. 25-149-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.

Motion: Board Secretary Col. Overturf made a motion for the appellant due to the appellant receiving a pardon. Motion was seconded by Atty. Sanetti, motion passed unanimously.

5) Case No. 24-740-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Gregory J. Miller.  Det. Sgt. Richard Avdevich represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Marc Balestracci, Waterford Police Department.

Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Waterford to issue the permit.   Board Chairman Whitney Dr. Conrad, Atty Evangelisti, Col. Overturf and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the appellant. Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Vote was 5-1 in favor of the appellant.

6) Case No. 25-116-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Rob Serafinowicz. Ofc. Peter Lovemi represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Wayne Williams, Ansonia Police Department.

Motion: Board Secretary Col. Overturf made a motion for the appellant due to the appellant being suitable and ordered Ansonia to issue the permit. Motion was seconded by Dr. Conrad, motion passed unanimously.

7) Case No. 26-111-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Jon L. Schoenhorn, Esq. DESPP Legal Staff Attorney John Grasso represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

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

8) Case No. 25-082-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear.  Det. Miscioscia represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Timothy Shaw, Stamford 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 Atty. Sanetti, motion passed unanimously.

9) Case No. 25-179-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Legal Staff Attorney John Grasso 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 Atty. Sanetti, motion passed unanimously.

10) Case No. 25-070-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Legal Staff Attorney John Grasso 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 Chief Rosensweig, motion passed unanimously.

MOTION MADE TO VACATE DECISION FOR CASE 25-070-R, AS THE APPELLANT HAD WITHDRAWN HIS APPEAL PRIOR TO THE HEARING. PLEASE SEE MARCH 19, 2026 MINUTES.

11) Case No. 25-065-SD, involving the State denial of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Legal Staff Attorney John Grasso 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 Dr. Conrad, motion passed unanimously.

12) Case No. 25-048-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Legal Staff Attorney John Grasso 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 Dr. Conrad, motion passed unanimously.

13) Case No. 25-142-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear.  Waterford Det. Sgt. Richard Avdevich left the hearing.so there was no representation for the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Joseph McNeil, Stratford Police Department.

Mark off: This case has been marked off.

 

Secretary’s Report:

Board member Atty. Sanetti made a motion to accept the minutes from February 19, 2026, seconded by Col. Overturf. motion carried. Chief Rosensweig abstained. Vote 5-1 to approve.

 

Old Business: None

 

New Business: None

 

Adjournment: Board Secretary Overturf made a motion to adjourn seconded by Board member Dr. Conrad, motion carried. Meeting ended at 12:29pm.