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.

May 7 2026 Minutes

MINUTES

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS

Thursday, May 7, 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 10:02am.

Chairman Whitney read the Introductory Statement and called the roll call.  Eleven appellants were present, two appellants failed to appear. Eleven 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, Chief Carl Rosensweig, and Stephen Sanetti, Esq.

Board Members Absent: None

Chairman Diane Whitney administered the oath to all witnesses.

Hearings: Thirteen cases were heard in the following order:

1) Case No. 24-725-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Gregory Cerritelli, Esq.  Det. Stephen Jacques represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief David Zannelli, New Haven Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew her case, New Haven will issue.

2) Case No. 25-288-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Chief Marc Petruzzi represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Marc Petruzzi, Vernon Police Department.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Vernon to issue the permit.  Vote was 7-0 in favor of the appellant.

3) Case No. 25-013-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Chief Marc Petruzzi represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Marc Petruzzi, Vernon Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew her case, Vernon will issue.

4) Case No. 25-336-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  First Selectman Bob Carlson represented the Local Issuing Authority, First Selectman Bob Carlson, Town of North Stonington.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered North Stonington to issue the permit.  Vote was 7-0 in favor of the appellant.

5) Case No. 25-245-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear.  Cpt. Gregory McCarthy represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Louis Fusaro, Town of Groton Police Department with one witness.

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

6) Case No. 25-350-SD, involving the State denial 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 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. 25-254-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman. Lt. Chris Romanelli represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Jonathan Mulhern, Branford Police Department.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Branford to issue the permit.  Vote was 7-0 in favor of the appellant.

8) Case No. 25-330-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Ofc. Joe McCusker represented the Local Issuing Authority, Town Manager Brian Palaia, Town of Killingly

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew her case, Killingly will issue.

9) Case No. 25-277-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Lt. Daniel Rovella represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Fabien Silva, Willimantic Police Department with one witness.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

10) Case No. 25-333-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. DESPP Sgt. Brianna Maurice represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection with one witness.

Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the State Issuing Authority, the revocation of the pistol permit. Chairman Whitney, Col. Overturf, Atty. Evangelisti, and Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.  Dr. Conrad, Mr. Gray and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Appellant. Vote was 4-3 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.

11) Case No. 25-247-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Lt. Chris Romanelli represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Jonathan Mulhern, Branford Police Department.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Branford to issue the permit.  Vote was 7-0 in favor of the appellant.

12) Case No. 25-258-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Det. Dan Bontempo represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Eric Osanitsch, Windsor Locks Police Department.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Windsor Locks to issue the permit.  Vote was 6-0 in favor of the appellant. Mr. Gray abstained from the vote.

13) Case No. 25-305-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 to uphold the decision of the Local Issuing Authority, the denial of the pistol permit. Atty. Evangelist, Mr. Gray, Col. Overturf and Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.  Chairman Whitney, Dr. Conrad and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Appellant. Vote was 4-3 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.

 

Secretary’s Report:

Board member Atty. Sanetti made a motion to accept the minutes from April 23, 2026, seconded by Col. Overturf. motion carried. Mr. Gray abstained. Vote 6-1 to approve.

 

Old Business: None

 

New Business: None

 

Adjournment: Board member Atty Sanetti made a motion to adjourn seconded by Board member Mr. Gray, motion carried. Meeting ended at 1:49pm.