May 21 2026 Minutes
MINUTES
OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY
BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS
Thursday, May 21, 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 10:04am.
Chairman Whitney read the Introductory Statement and called the roll call. Nine appellants were present, one appellant 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, Chief Carl Rosensweig, and Stephen Sanetti, Esq.
Board Members Absent: Col. Kyle Overturf
Chairman Diane Whitney administered the oath to all witnesses.
Hearings: Ten cases were heard in the following order:
1) Case No. 25-315-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Michael Sigrist represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Roderick Porter, Bridgeport Police Department with one witness.
Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.
2) Case No. 25-331-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Michael Sigrist represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Roderick Porter, Bridgeport Police Department with one witness.
Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.
3) Case No. 25-351-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. 25-353-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.
5) Case No. 25-366-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Lt. Tim Kelly represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief James Heavey, Greenwich 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. Chairman Whitney, Mr. Gray, Chief Rosensweig and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Dr. Conrad voted in favor of the appellant. Vote was 4-1-1 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Atty. Evangelisti abstained from the vote.
6) Case No. 25-356-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Lt. Daniel Rovella represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Fabian Silva, Willimantic Police Department.
Motion: Board member Atty. Sanetti 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. 25-371-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. Chairman Whitney, Dr. Conrad, Mr. Gray, 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.
8) Case No. 25-352-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 unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Waterbury to issue the permit. Vote was 6-0 in favor of the appellant.
9) Case No. 25-283-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, 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.
10) Case No. 25-409-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf. DESPP Det. Brindiana Warenda represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, with two witnesses.
Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the State Issuing Authority, the revocation of the pistol permit.
Secretary’s Report:
Board member Atty. Sanetti made a motion to accept the minutes from May 7, 2026, seconded by Mr. Gray, motion carried. Vote 6-0 to approve.
Old Business: None
New Business: None
Adjournment: Board member Chief Rosensweig made a motion to adjourn seconded by Board member Mr. Gray, motion carried. Meeting ended at 1:57pm.