July 23 2026 Minutes

MINUTES

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS

Thursday, July 23, 2026, 10am

Connecticut State Office Building

165 Capitol Ave., Room C, Hartford, CT 06106

 

 

 

Call to Order

Chairman Diane Whitney called the meeting to order at 10:06am.

Chairman Whitney read the Introductory Statement and called the roll call.  Twelve appellants were present, one appellant failed to appear. Eight 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. Kyle Overturf, Chief Carl Rosensweig, and Stephen Sanetti, Esq.

Board Members Absent: None

Chairman Diane Whitney administered the oath to all witnesses.

Hearings: Thirteen cases were heard in the following order:

1) Case No. 25-172-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Gregory J. Miller, Esq.  Det. Kevin Foster represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Rafael Medina, Wethersfield Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

2) Case No. 25-585-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. DESPP Det. Brindiana Warenda represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

. Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

3) Case No. 25-469-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. DESPP Det. Brindiana Warenda represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

4) Case No. 25-478-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Lt. Arthur Weisgerber represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief James Walsh, Norwalk Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

5) Case No. 25-543-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Tpr. Brian Contena represented the Local Issuing Authority, First Selectman Rodney Fournier, Town of Bolton.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

6) Case No. 25-633-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. DESPP Det. Brindiana Warenda represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case, the state will reinstate.

7) Case No. 25-506-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman, Esq. DESPP Legal Staff Attorney Jennifer Miller, Esq. represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Continuance: Atty. Sherman asked for and was granted a continuance to September 17, 2026 hearing date.

8) Case No. 25-491-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf.  Ofc, Bruce Giovanelli represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Scott Todd, Derby Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew her case.

9) Case No. 25-632-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Det. Brindiana Warenda represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Motion: Board Secretary Col. Overturf made a motion for the State Issuing Authority, by default, due to the appellant failing to appear. Motion was seconded by Mr. Gray, motion passed unanimously

10) Case No. 25-513-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman, Esq. Det. Kevin Foster represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Rafael Medina, Wethersfield Police Department.

Continuance: Atty. Sherman asked for and was granted a continuance to September 17, 2026 hearing date.

 

11) Case No. 25-470-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Cpt. Gregory McCarthy represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Louis Fusaro, Groton Police Department with one witness.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Groton to issue the permit.  Vote was 7-0 in favor of the appellant.

12) Case No. 25-436-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. HR Associate Ariana Perez represented the Local Issuing Authority, First Selectman Jim Rivers, Town of Windham with one witness.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Windham to issue the permit.  Vote was 7-0 in favor of the appellant.

13) Case No. 25-493-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Sgt. John Iommazzo represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Fernando Spagnolo, Waterbury Police Department.

Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Waterbury to issue.   Dr. Conrad, Atty. Evangelisti, Mr. Gray, Col. Overturf, Chief Rosensweig and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Appellant. Chairman Whitney voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Vote was 6-1 in favor of the appellant.

 

Secretary’s Report:

Board member Dr. Conrad made a motion to accept the minutes from July 9, 2026, seconded by Col. Overturf, Mr. Gray abstained. Vote 6-0-1 to approve.

 

Old Business: None

 

New Business: New Board member appointed, Col. Brian Newman.

 

Adjournment: Board member Chief Rosensweig made a motion to adjourn seconded by Board member Atty. Sanetti, motion carried. Meeting ended at 12:16pm.