Draft MINUTES

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS

Thursday, April 14, 2016, 10am at the

6 Fairfield Boulevard, Wallingford, CT 06492

Call to Order

Chairman Frank P. Blando called the meeting to order at 10:00am.

Chairman Blando read the Introductory Statement and called the roll call. Nine appellants were present. The State Issuing Authority and five local Issuing Authorities were present. Three local Issuing Authorities failed to appear.

Board Members Present: Chairman Frank P. Blando, Esq., Secretary Craig C. Fishbein, Esq., Dr. Charles Dike, James A. Greer, Esq., Ms. Gudrun Johnson and Col. Kyle Overturf.

Board Members Absent: Mr. M. Peter Kuck and Chief Carl Rosensweig.

Chairman Frank P. Blando administered the oath to all witnesses.

Hearings: Nine cases were heard in the following order:

1) Case No. 16-028-CD, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Officer Salmeron represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief Dean Esserman, New Haven Police Department.

Agreement: Officer Salmeron representing the local Issuing Authority, Chief Dean Esserman, New Haven Police Department, agreed to issue a temporary pistol permit to the appellant within one week.

2) Case No. 16-001-CD, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. Francis Monahan represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief Vernon Riddick, Waterbury Police Department.

Motion: Board Member Fishbein made a motion to find for the appellant, Board Member Greer seconded the motion, motion carried unanimously.

3) Case No. 16-125-CD, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. Francis Monahan represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief Vernon Riddick, Waterbury Police Department.

Motion: Board Member Fishbein made a motion to find for the appellant, Board Member Johnson seconded the motion, motion carried unanimously.

4) Case No. 14-575-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. A representative failed to appear for the local Issuing Authority, First Selectman Mark Walter, Town of East Haddam.

Motion: Board Member Fishbein made a motion to find for the appellant due to a representative failing to appear for the local Issuing Authority First Selectman Mark Walter, Town of East Haddam. Board Member Overturf seconded the motion, motion carried unanimously.

5) Case No. 14-622-R, involving the revocation of his pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. Alex Giannone represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Dora B. Schriro, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection with one witness.

Decision: By a majority, the Board voted to overturn the decision of the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Dora B. Schriro, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, and ordered the State permit to be reinstated. Board Members Blando and Overturf voted for the State Issuing Authority. Board Members Dike, Fishbein, Greer and Johnson voted for the appellant.

6) Case No. 15-025-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. A representative failed to appear for the local Issuing Authority, Chief Lisa Maruzo-Bolduc, Willimantic Police Department.

Motion: Board Member Fishbein made a motion to find for the appellant due to a representative failing to appear for the local Issuing Authority, Chief Lisa Maruzo-Bolduc, Willimantic Police Department. Board Member Greer seconded the motion, motion carried unanimously.

7) Case No. 15-002-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. A representative failed to appear for the local Issuing Authority, Chief William Fitzgerald, Winchester Police Department.

Motion: Board Member Fishbein made a motion to find for the appellant due to a representative failing to appear for the local Issuing Authority Chief William Fitzgerald, Winchester Police Department. Board Member Greer seconded the motion, motion carried unanimously.

8) Case No. 15-040-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Deputy Chief James Baraja represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief Armando J. Perez, Bridgeport Police Department with one witness.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his appeal.

9) Case No. 15-316-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Capt. John Alexopoulos represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief Keith Mello, Milford Police Department.

Decision: By a majority, the Board voted to overturn the decision of the local Issuing Authority, Chief Keith Mello, Milford Police Department, and ordered a temporary pistol permit be issued. Board Members Greer and Johnson voted for the local Issuing Authority. Board Members Blando, Dike, Fishbein and Overturf voted for the appellant.

Secretary’s Report:

1)     Secretary Fishbein made a motion to accept the March 24, 2016 minutes as written, Board Member Overturf seconded the motion, motion carried. Board Members Dike and Johnson abstained.

Adjournment: Board Member Fishbein made a motion to adjourn, Board Member Greer seconded the motion, motion carried.