MINUTES

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS

Thursday, June 9, 2016, 10am at the

6 Fairfield Boulevard, Wallingford, CT 06492

Call to Order

Chairman Frank P. Blando called the meeting to order at 10:0am.

Chairman Blando read the Introductory Statement and called the roll call. Ten appellants were present and one failed to appear. The State Issuing Authority and seven local Issuing Authorities were present.

Board Members Present: Chairman Frank P. Blando, Esq., Secretary Craig C. Fishbein, Esq., Ms. Gudrun Johnson, Mr. Peter Kuck, Col. Kyle Overturf and Chief Carl Rosensweig.

Board Members Absent: Dr. Charles Dike and Attorney James A. Greer

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

Hearings: Eleven cases were heard in the following order:

1) Case No. 15-122-R, Sgt. Alex Giannone represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Dora B. Schriro, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. Sgt. Giannone informed the Board that the appellant was at the meeting earlier and was told that his pistol permit was going to be reinstated.

Motion: Board Member Fishbein made a motion Case No. 15-122-R is being resolved and the appellant will be reinstated. Board Member Kuck seconded the motion, motion carried unanimously.

2) Case No. 15-157-D involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf. Det. John Theriana represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief Patrick Ridenhour, Stratford Police Department. 

Motion: Board Member Fishbein made a motion to find for the appellant and ordered a temporary pistol permit to be issued. Board Member Overturf seconded the motion, motion carried unanimously.

3) Case No. 16-122-CD, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Det. John Theriana represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief Patrick Ridenhour, Stratford Police Department. 

Motion: Board Member Fishbein made a motion to find for the appellant due to the local Issuing Authority inability to present evidence. Board Member Kuck seconded the motion, motion carried unanimously.

4) Case No. 14-482-R, involving the revocation of his pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Sgt. Alex Giannone represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Dora B. Schriro, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Motion: Board Member Fishbein made a motion to find for the State Issuing Authority, by default, due to the appellant’s failure to appear. Board Member Kuck seconded the motion, motion carried unanimously.

5) Case No. 15-112-R, involving the revocation of his pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf with one witness. 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 unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Dora B. Schriro, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, the revocation of the appellant’s State pistol permit.

6) Case No. 14-417-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 three witnesses.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Dora B. Schriro, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, the revocation of the appellant’s State pistol permit.

7) Case No. 15-097-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. Attorney Ralph D. Sherman represented the appellant. Det. John Williams represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief Jeffrey Cossette, Meriden Police Department. 

Motion: Board Member Fishbein made a motion to find for the appellant and ordered a temporary pistol permit to be issued. Kuck seconded the motion, motion carried unanimously.

8) Case No. 15-148-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 Jeffrey Cossette, Meriden Police Department. 

Motion: Board Member Fishbein made a motion to find for the appellant due to inefficiency of evidence by the local Issuing Authority and ordered a temporary pistol permit to be issued. Kuck seconded the motion, motion carried unanimously.

9) Case No. 15-068-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 two witnesses.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Dora B. Schriro, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, the revocation of the appellant’s State pistol permit.

10) Case No. 15-164-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf. Lt. Heather Desmond represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief William McKenna, Middletown Police Department. 

Motion: Board Member Fishbein made a motion to find for the appellant due to inefficiency of evidence by the local Issuing Authority and ordered a temporary pistol permit to be issued. Board Member Johnson seconded the motion, motion carried unanimously.

11) Case No. 14-369-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Lt. Heather Desmond represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief William McKenna, Middletown Police Department. 

Decision: By a majority, the Board voted to overturn the decision of the local Issuing Authority and ordered a temporary pistol permit be issued. Board Members Johnson and Rosensweig voted for the local Issuing Authority. Board Members Blando, Fishbein, Kuck and Overturf voted for the appellant.

Secretary’s Report:

1) Secretary Fishbein made a motion to accept the May 12, 2016 minutes as written, Board Member Kuck seconded the motion, motion carried.

2) Secretary Fishbein made a motion to accept the May 26, 2016 minutes as written, Board Member Kuck seconded the motion, motion carried.

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