Board of Firearms Permit Examiners subservient to DPS

Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 7:17 am

SB28 - AN ACT CONSOLIDATING STATE AGENCIES AND ELIMINATING CERTAIN LEGISLATIVE COMMISSIONS.

http://www.cga.ct.gov/2010/TOB/s/pdf/2010SB-00028-R00-SB.pdf

The bill SB28 calls for the independent Board of Firearms Permit Examiners to be deleted as an agency, and become subservient to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) again.,....... the BFPE is the OPENING PARAGRAPH of the proposed bill. The BFPE currently has one employee (non-union) with a budget of less than $100,000. Last year, in previous budgets, attempts were made to transfer it to DPS, a Public Health group, and to the Department of Administrative Services (DAS). The one employee position appears to be eliminated and would have to be filled by DPS.

One has to question rational thought or wisdom of the proposal. Like the 100% increase in sportsmen’s fees, the originator obviously has little experience or knowledge of the issue and a broad ax rather than a scalpel process is obvious.

Loss of the experienced employee will constitute loss of experience and institutional memory at a time when the BFPE is 18-24 months behind on appeals. Will a State Police officer or a civilian be a replacement at probably more cost and clearly with less experience? Why put the chickens in the fox’s den – CSP and associated Chiefs of Police are the ones who deny/revoke permits; the Board is a group that evaluates Police decisions. Are we to assume CSP will be fair and balanced and oppose decisions made by their police peers or superiors?

The BFPE MUST remain an independent agency, or a poorer solution placed under an agency that is neutral. Placing the Board under the State Police is the poorest solution.

CCS testified IN OPPOSITION to this same proposal last year and will do so again (Committee on Government Administration and Elections).

Contact Governor Rell & voice your opinion. Be clear but courteous. E-Mail Governor.Rell@ct.gov or Online Form

http://www.ct.gov/governorrell/cwp/view.asp?a=1317&q=289136

E-mail, and Write, and Phone Call YOUR State Representative and State Senator - urge them to OPPOSE this transfer and leave the BFPE as an independent appeals agency. You can find your CT legislator at http://www.cga.ct.gov/maps/townlist.asp or in the Blue pages under “Connecticut, State of” then “Legislators”. Use the KISS principle, and please…do not be insulting or negative towards Any Senator, Representative, or anyone else in the Capitol. Identify yourself and Town, State your position and why you Support or Oppose the BFPE transfer. Be Brief, if they have questions they will ask. Ask for a response to your communication!