November 14 2019 Minutes

PLEASE CONTACT THE BOARD IMMEDIATELY IF YOUR PERMIT WAS ISSUED OR REINSTATED PRIOR TO YOUR HEARING. THIS WILL REDUCE THE BACKLOG.

MINUTES

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS

Thursday, November 14, 2019, 10am at the

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. Fourteen appellants were present, two appellants failed to appear. The State Issuing Authority and fourteen Local Issuing Authorities were present and one failed to appear.

Board Members Present: Chairman Frank P. Blando, Esq., Secretary Col. Kyle Overturf, Dr. Cynthia Conrad, MD., Carolyn Futtner Esq., Anthony Iaconis, Esq., Mr. M. Peter Kuck, and Chief Carl Rosensweig.

Board Members Absent: Gudrun Johnson

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

Hearings: Sixteen cases were heard in the following order:

1) Case No. 20-021-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. Ashley Taylor represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Armando Perez, Bridgeport Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

2) Case No. 19-702-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Lt. Jeffery DePerry represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Michael Spera, Old Saybrook Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

3) Case No. 19-737-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf. Sgt. Kenneth Keroack represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Fernando Spagnolo, Waterbury Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

4) Case No. 19-704-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf. Chief Paul Satkowski represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Paul Satkowski, Seymour Police Department with one witness.

Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Chairman Blando, Secretary Overturf, Board members Dr. Conrad, Atty. Futtner, Atty. Iaconis and Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Board member Kuck voted in favor of the appellant. Vote was 6-1 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.

5) Case No. 19-479-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Cpt. Brandon Marschner represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Keith Mello, Milford 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.

6) Case No. 18-522-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: Board Secretary Overturf made a motion for the State Issuing Authority, by default, due to the appellant failing to appear. Motion was seconded by Board Member Kuck, motion passed unanimously.

7) Case No. 20-003-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Cpl. Fred Goncalves was present for the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Michael Spellman, Groton City Police Department.

8) Case No. 19-686-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 Michael Criss, Town of Harwinton.

Continued: Motion made by Board member Kuck, seconded by Atty. Iaconis to continue this case due to an incomplete application. Vote on the motion was 5-2 in favor of the motion. This case has been continued to February 13, 2020.

9) Case No. 19-568-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman, Esq. with one witness. Counsel Joseph Skelly was present for the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Christopher Chute, New Britain Police Department with one witness.

10) Case No. 19-656-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Lt. Brian Weir appeared for the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Michael Lombardo, Trumbull Police Department.

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

11) Case No. 19-548-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Det. Chris Collins appeared for the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Paul Hammick, Bloomfield Police Department.

Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant. Board Secretary Overturf, Board members Atty. Futtner, Mr. Kuck and Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the appellant. Chairman Blando, Dr. Conrad, and Atty. Iaconis voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Vote was 4-3 in favor of the appellant.

12) Case No. 20-016-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Counsel Joseph Skelly appeared for the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Christopher Chute, New Britain 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.

13) Case No. 20-010-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman, Esq. with one witness. Counsel Joseph Skelly was present for the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Christopher Chute, New Britain Police Department with one witness.

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

14) Case No. 19-734-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. Kenneth Keroack represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Fernando Spagnolo, Waterbury Police Department.

Continued: This case has been continued to February 13, 2020.

15) Case No. 19-745-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Det. James Thurston appeared for the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Paul Hammick, Bloomfield 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.

16) Case No. 19-495-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Det. Sgt. Marcus appeared for the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Patrick Ridenhour, Danbury Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

Secretary’s Report:

Board Secretary Overturf made a motion to accept the minutes from November 7, 2019, seconded by Chief Rosensweig, motion carried. Atty. Futtner abstained.

New Business:

Motion made by Board member Kuck to approve the 2020 hearing schedule, seconded by Board Secretary Overturf. Motion carried.

Adjournment: Board member Kuck made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Board Secretary Overturf, motion carried. Meeting ended at 3:00pm.

Office of Governmental Accountability Board of Firearms Permit Examiners