August 20 2026 Minutes

MINUTES

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS

Thursday, August 20, 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 10:08am.

Chairman Whitney read the Introductory Statement and called the roll call. Fifteen appellants were present, two appellants failed to appear. Eleven 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: Col. Brian Newman

Chairman Diane Whitney administered the oath to all witnesses.

Hearings: Seventeen cases were heard in the following order:

1) Case No. 25-709-SDEC, involving the denial of a pistol eligibility certificate. 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.

2) Case No. 25-589-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. 25-714-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. 25-538-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Det. Francessca Flores represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Roderick Porter, Bridgeport Police Department with one witness.

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, Mr. Gray, Col. Overturf, Chief Rosensweig and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Dr. Conrad voted in favor of the Appellant. Vote was 6-1 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.

5) Case No. 25-700-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.

6) Case No. 24-283-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant failed to appear. Det. Lt. Malone represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Patrick Ridenhour, Danbury 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.

7) Case No. 25-615-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Ofc. Brett Johnson represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Jonathan Mulhern, Branford 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. Vote was 7-0 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.

8) Case No. 25-057-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant was represented by David J. Cutillo, Esq. DESPP Brindiana Warenda represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, 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. Vote was 7-0 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.

9) Case No. 25-631-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on her own behalf. Alex Ricciardi represented the Local Issuing Authority, First Selectman Jason Hayes, Town of East Granby.

Motion: Board member Atty. Sanetti made a motion for the appellant, by default, due to no suitability issues with the appellant. Motion was seconded by Col. Overturf, motion passed unanimously

10) Case No. 25-725-R, involving the revocation of a pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf, Esq. DESPP Brindiana Warenda represented the State Issuing Authority, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins, 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.

11) Case No. 25-609-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Ofc. Bruce Giovanelli represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Scott Todd, Derby 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. Dr. Conrad, Atty. Evangelisti, Mr. Gray, Col. Overturf, and Chief Rosensweig and voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Atty. Sanetti and Chairman Whitney voted in favor of the Appellant. Vote was 5-2 in favor of the Local Issuing Authority.

12) Case No. 25-705-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Det. Miscioscia represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Timothy Shaw, Stamford Police Department.

13) Case No. 25-576-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Det. Francessca Flores represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Roderick Porter, Bridgeport Police Department with one witness.

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

14) Case No. 25-579-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.

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

15) Case No. 25-547-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.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew his case.

16) Case No. 25-646-D, involving the denial of a temporary pistol permit to carry pistols and revolvers. The appellant appeared on his own behalf. Det. Kevin Foster represented the Local Issuing Authority, Chief Rafael Medina, Wethersfield Police Department.

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

17) Case No. 25-515-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 for the appellant. Chairman Whitney, Dr. Conrad Mr. Gray, Col. Overturf, Chief Rosensweig and Atty. Sanetti voted in favor of the Appellant Atty. Evangelisti voted in favor of the Local Issuing Authority. Vote was 6-1 in favor of the appellant.

Secretary’s Report:

Board member Atty. Sanetti made a motion to accept the minutes from August 13, 2026, seconded by Mr. Gray motion carried. Dr. Conrad, Atty. Evangelisti and Col. Overturf abstained from the vote. Vote 4-0-3 to approve.

Old Business: None

New Business: None

Adjournment: Board member Dr. Conrad made a motion to adjourn seconded by Board member Mr. Gray, motion carried. Meeting ended at 4:09pm.