June 25 2026 Minutes

MINUTES

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS

Thursday, June 25, 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 10:03am.

Chairman Whitney read the Introductory Statement and called the roll call.  Six appellants were present, two appellants failed to appear. Eight Local Issuing Authorities were present.

Board Members Present: Chairman Diane Whitney, Esq., Elbert Gray, Col. Kyle Overturf, Chief Carl Rosensweig, and Stephen Sanetti, Esq.

Board Members Absent: Dr. Cynthia Conrad and Atty. Michael Evangelisti

Chairman Diane Whitney administered the oath to all witnesses.

Hearings: Eight cases were heard in the following order:

1) Case No. 26-437-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Asst. Chief Lawrence Terra represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Vernon Riddick, West Hartford 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. Vote was 5-0 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.

2) Case No. 25-407-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  First Selectman Nicholas Donohue represented the Local Issuing Authority, First Selectman Nicholas Donohue, Town of Thompson.

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, Mr. Gray, Col. Overturf, and Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.  Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Appellant. Vote was 4-1 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. 

3) Case No. 25-236-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by Ralph D. Sherman. Ofc. Fred Duverger represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Patrick Deely, Middlebury Police Department.

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Middlebury to issue the permit.  Vote was 5-0 in favor of the appellant.

4) Case No. 25-461-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear.  Det. James Thurston represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Paul Hammick, Bloomfield Police Department.

Motion: Board member Chief Rosensweig made a motion for the Local Issuing Authority, by default, due to the appellant failing to appear. Motion was seconded by Mr. Gray, motion passed unanimously.

5) Case No. 25-481-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear.  Sgt. John Iommazzo represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Fernando Spagnolo, Waterbury Police Department.

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

6) Case No. 26-203-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf.  Sgt. John Iommazzo represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Fernando Spagnolo, Waterbury Police Department.

Motion: Board member Atty. Sanetti made a motion for the Appellant, due to no additional evidence since the last hearing on who voted in favor of the appellant on November 21, 2024, seconded by Col. Overturf.  After a vote from the Board, the motion failed and the case was presented.   

Decision: By a unanimous decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant and ordered Waterbury to issue the permit.  Vote was 5-0 in favor of the appellant.

7) Case No. 26-366-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 in favor of the appellant and ordered Waterbury to issue the permit.  Vote was 5-0 in favor of the appellant.

8) Case No. 25-389-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf.  Ofc. Franchessca Flores represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Roderick Porter, Bridgeport Police Department with one witness.

Decision: By a majority decision, the Board voted in favor of the appellant, Chairman Whitney, Mr. Gray, Col. Overturf and Atty. Sanetti. voted in favor of the Appellant Chief Rosensweig voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.  Vote was 4-1 in favor of the appellant.

 

Secretary’s Report:

Board member Chief Rosensweig made a motion to accept the minutes from June 11, 2026, seconded by Mr. Gray. motion carried. Col. Overturf and Atty. Sanetti abstained. Vote 3-0-2 to approve.

 

Old Business: None

 

New Business: Discussed SCOTUS v. Hemani

 

Adjournment: Board Secretary Overturf made a motion to adjourn seconded by Board member Atty. Sanetti, motion carried. Meeting ended at 1:14pm.