July 9 2026 Minutes

MINUTES

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS

Thursday, July 9, 2026, 10am

Connecticut State Office Building

165 Capitol Ave., Room D/E, Hartford, CT 06106

Call to Order

Chairman Diane Whitney called the meeting to order at 10:02am.

Chairman Whitney read the Introductory Statement and called the roll call. Seven appellants were present, five appellants failed to appear. Eight Local Issuing Authorities were present along with the State.

Board Members Present: Chairman Diane Whitney, Esq., Dr. Cynthia Conrad, Det. Michael Evangelisti, Col. Kyle Overturf, Chief Carl Rosensweig, and Stephen Sanetti, Esq.

Board Members Absent: Elbert Gray

Chairman Diane Whitney administered the oath to all witnesses.

Hearings: Twelve cases were heard in the following order:

1) Case No. 25-572-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. DESPP Det. Christopher Centi represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

2) Case No. 25-744-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Edwin P. Farrow, Esq. Ofc. Roderick Doda and Franchessca Flores represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Roderick Porter, Bridgeport Police Department.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

3) Case No. 25-419-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Chief Steven Penn represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Steven Penn, Cromwell Police Department.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Cromwell to issue the permit. Vote was 6-0 in favor of the appellant.

4) Case No. 25-396-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf. Ofc. Roderick Doda and Franchessca Flores represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Roderick Porter, Bridgeport 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.

5) Case No. 25-525-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Det. Christopher Centi represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, 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 Atty. Sanetti, motion passed unanimously.

6) Case No. 25-368-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Det. Christopher Centi represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, 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 Chief Rosensweig, motion passed unanimously.

7) Case No. 25-571-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. DESPP Det. Christopher Centi represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, 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 Dr. Conrad, motion passed unanimously.

8) Case No. 25-450-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Lt. Craig Browning represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Mack Hawkins, East Hartford Police Department.

9) Case No. 25-434-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Jon Femia represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Roberto Rosado, Meriden Police Department.

10) Case No. 25-437-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 to uphold the decision of the Local Issuing Authority, the denial of the pistol permit. Chairman Whitney, Atty Evangelisti, Col. Overturf, and Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Dr. Conrad and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Appellant. Vote was 4-2 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority at this time.

11) Case No. 25-464-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 unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the Local Issuing Authority, the denial of the pistol permit.

12) Case No. 25-479-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 unanimous decision, the Board voted to uphold the decision of the Local Issuing Authority, the denial of the pistol permit.

Secretary’s Report:

Board member Atty. Sanetti made a motion to accept the minutes from June 25, 2026, seconded by Col. Overturf. motion carried. Dr, Conrad and Atty Evangelisti abstained. Vote 4-0-2 to approve.

Old Business: None

New Business: Quick talk on the Supreme Court ruling on United States v. Hemani

Adjournment: Board member Chief Rosensweig made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Board Secretary Overturf motion carried. Meeting ended at 12:37pm.