MINUTES

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS

Thursday, March 7, 2019, 10am

Wethersfield Police Department, 250 Silas Deane Hwy.

Wethersfield, CT 06109

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.  Thirteen appellants were present, two appellants failed to appear. The State Issuing Authority and eleven local Issuing Authorities were present.

Board Members Present: Chairman Frank P. Blando, Esq., Secretary Col. Kyle Overturf, Carolyn Futtner Esq., Chief Carl Rosensweig, Gudrun Johnson and Mr. M. Peter Kuck.

Board Members Absent: Dr. William Sledge

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

Hearings: Sixteen cases were heard in the following order:

1) Case No. 19-146-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Chief James Cetran was present for the local Issuing Authority, Chief James Cetran, Wethersfield Police Department with one witness.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the local Issuing Authority, the denial of the pistol permit.

2) Case No. 19-084-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf.  First Selectman, James M. Hayden was presented for the local Issuing Authority, First Selectman, Town of East Granby.

Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted in favor of the Issuing Authority. Chairman Blando and Mr. Kuck voted in favor of the appellant.  Col. Overturf, Atty. Futtner, Chief Rosensweig and Ms. Johnson voted in favor of the Issuing Authority.

3) Case No. 18-113-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. Alex Giannone represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner James C. Rovella, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

4) Case No. 18-403-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Lt. Brian Weir was present for the local Issuing Authority, Chief Michael Lombardo, Trumbull Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

5) Case No. 18-574-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Det. Leopold Clarke represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief David Rosado, Hartford Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

6) Case No. 18-565-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Officer Corey Caserta represented the local Issuing Authority Chief Jonathan Fontneau, Stamford Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

7) Case No. 18-093-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Sgt. Alex Giannone represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner James C. Rovella, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

8) Case No. 18-585-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman, Esq. Asst. Counsel Joseph Skelly was present for the local Issuing Authority, Acting Chief Christopher Chute, New Britain Police Department.

Continuance: This case has been continued to a date to be determined.

9) Case No. 19-188-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Lt. Carroll appeared for the local Issuing Authority, Chief John Gavallas, Newtown Police Department.

Motion: Secretary Col. Overturf made a motion for the Local Issuing Authority, by default, due to the appellant failing to appear. Motion was seconded by Ms. Johnson, motion passed unanimously.

10) Case No. 18-110-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear.  Sgt. Alex Giannone represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner James C. Rovella, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Motion: Secretary Col. Overturf made a motion for the Local Issuing Authority, by default, due to the appellant failing to appear. Motion was seconded by Ms. Johnson, motion passed unanimously.

11) Case No. 17-744-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf.  Sgt. Alex Giannone represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner James C. Rovella, 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.

12) Case No. 18-129-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by John R. Donovan, Esq. with two witnesses.   Trp. DeAngelo appeared for the local Issuing Authority, First Selectman Melissa Schlag, Town of Haddam with two witnesses.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the local Issuing Authority, the denial of the pistol permit.

13) Case No. 18-250-D, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf.  Sgt. Michael Rondinone appeared for the local Issuing Authority, First Selectman Art Shilosky, Town of Colchester with one witness.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the local Issuing Authority, the denial of the pistol permit. Mr. Kuck recused himself.

14) Case No. 18-425-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by James Saraceni, Esq. Captain Donald Anderson represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief Raymond Osborne, Darien Police Department.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Darien to issue the permit.

15) Case No. 18-446-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Det. Howard represented the local Issuing Authority, Chief J. Darren Stewart, Stonington 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. Board member Kuck abstained from the vote.

Secretary’s Report:

Board Secretary Col. Kyle Overturf made a motion to accept the minutes from February 7, 2019, seconded by Ms. Johnson, motion carried.

New Business:

1) Distributed the 2018 Board Statistics.

2) Discussed new language for decision letters members about appellants right to appeal Boards decision to Superior Court under C.G.S 29-32b(f), in accordance with provisions of section 4-183.

Adjournment: Board Secretary Col. Kyle Overturf made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Board member Kuck, motion carried. Meeting ended at 4:15pm.