October 8 2026 Minutes

MINUTES

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS

Thursday, October 8, 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. 9 appellants were present, two appellants failed to appear. Ten 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. Brian Newman, Col. Kyle Overturf, Chief Carl Rosensweig, and Stephen Sanetti, Esq.

Board Members Absent: None

Chairman Diane Whitney administered the oath to all witnesses.

Hearings: Eleven cases were heard in the following order:

1) Case No. 25-539-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. DESPP Brindiana Warenda represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

2) Case No. 25-701-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Ofc. Luis Rivera represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Edward Reynolds, Hamden Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

3) Case No. 25-702-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Cpt. Andrew Power represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Donald Melanson, Windsor Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case, Windsor will issue.

4) Case No. 25-650-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by John C. Drapp. Sgt. John Iommazzo represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Fernando Spagnolo, Waterbury Police Department.

Decision: With it being a tie decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant. Chairman Whitney, Dr. Conrad, Mr. Gray, and Atty. Sanetti voted for the appellant. Atty. Evangelisti, Col. Newman, Col. Overturf, and Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Vote was 4-4 with a tie vote going to the appellant.

5) Case No. 25-626-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. John Iommazzo represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Fernando Spagnolo, Waterbury 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 Col. Newman, motion passed unanimously

6) Case No. 25-699-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.

7) Case No. 25-710-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Former First Selectman Juan Roman represented the Local Issuing Authority, First Selectman James Harrington, Town of Chaplin.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Chaplin to issue the permit. Vote was 8-0 in favor of the appellant.

8) Case No. 25-697-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Det. Lt. Matthew Malone represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Patrick Ridenhour, Danbury Police Department.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the Local Issuing Authority, the denial of the pistol permit. The vote was 8-0 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.

9) Case No. 25-612-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Det. Lt. Matthew Malone represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Patrick Ridenhour, Danbury Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

10) Case No. 25-770-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Ofc. Roderick Doda represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Roderick Porter, Bridgeport Police Department.

Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant. Chairman Whitney, Dr. Conrad, Atty. Evangelist, Mr. Gray, Col. Newman, Col. Overturf, and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the appellant, Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Vote was 7-1 in favor of the appellant.

11) Case No. 25-711-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Det. John Williams represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief C. Colin McAllister, Naugatuck Police Department.

Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant. Chairman Whitney, Dr. Conrad, Atty. Evangelist, Mr. Gray, and Col. Newman, voted in favor of the appellant, Col. Overturf, Chief Rosensweig and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Vote was 5-3 in favor of the appellant.

Secretary’s Report:

Board member Dr. Conrad made a motion to accept the minutes from September 3, 2026, seconded by Mr. Gray. motion carried. Atty. Evangelisti abstained from the vote.

Board Secretary Col. Overturf made a motion for the September 17, 2026, seconded by Chief Rosensweig abstained. Vote 6-1 to approve. Chairman Whitney and Mr. Gray abstained from the vote.

Old Business: None

New Business: None

Adjournment: Board member Chief Rosensweig made a motion to adjourn seconded by Board Secretary Col. Overturf, motion carried. Meeting ended at 12:36pm.