[Treo]

I just read a post about a guy who's gun fell out of his pocket in a bank. I got thinking about it , and I have this question . I'm not trying to bad mouth anybody I once made the mistake off walking into an on-post bank in Germany W/ my M-16 on my way to the arms room to turn it in (things got just a little bit tense there for a second). Ok now for my question , would you carry in a bank? Like if you were just out & about and needed to go to the bank would you walk in ( armed) or go to the drive thru ? or dis-arm and walk in? My take is that it just seems like a real bad day waiting for a place to happen.

[Pat Cannon]

In Minnesota there's nothing illegal about it. I do it routinely. In fact carrying openly is legal, though lots of folks here are not used to the idea yet (our shall-issue law just passed in 2003), so I personally wouldn't open-carry into the bank. So I do tend to double-check that everything's secure where it should be as I walk from my car.

I'd guess that open carry into a bank is not unusual in Alaska or Vermont. Somebody who lives there will tell us.

[jlpskydive]

In NC banks are on the prohibited carry list. Which makes no sense to me after all alot of people carry because they have large amounts of cash. Seems to me that a bank parking lot in NC is a good target for BG's looking for deposit bags. I have not seen a bank in Raleigh with a security guard in a very long time.

[AirForceShooter]

Florida and I'm good to go in a bank.
I have carried in my bank.
No biggie.

AFS

[Deanimator]

Depends entirely upon where you live. It's legal in Ohio unless the bank is posted. I don't recall seeing a bank posted in my immediate vicinity.

[Keegan]

I always carry in the bank. Bank robberies happen too often around here, and people have been killed for no reason during them.

[Taurus 617 CCW]

No problems carrying in Oregon either. I carry in banks all the time.

[The Bushmaster]

I carry in my bank all the time...No problem...They like my money.

Curious...If you are carring your weapon properly (holstered). Just how do you "accidently" drop it in a business establishment??

[ufstuddmuffin]

Florida and I'm good to go in a bank.

Yeah, legally I guess, except almost every bank that I have seen here in Florida has a no weapons allowed sign on the front door. That doesn't stop me from carrying into a bank though, considering the most they can ask you to do is leave, after which if you ignore you could be arrested for trespassing.

[JesseL]

I carry every time I go to the bank.
If the bank put up signs and metal detectors, I'd find a different bank.

[romma]

In NC banks are on the prohibited carry list. Which makes no sense to me after all alot of people carry because they have large amounts of cash.

Very simple jlpskydive, it keeps the bank robbers out,,, Don't you know?

[QUICK_DRAW_McGRAW]

let me ask you this...

do you carry when you go into a 7-11? a store, the mall? why would a bank be any different unless its illeagel in your state? if you are responcible and use a good quality holster you dont have problems with your gun falling out. also if you are more aware and just don't forget about it your fine.

when my pants go on in the morning so does my gun and it doesn't come off until i get into bed at night. its concealed for a reason. and just like JesseL said, if they would i too would bank elsewere.

[MachIVshooter]

Absolutely. As I see it, one has a far greater chance of actually needing one in a bank than most other places we go. I don't recall Wal-Mart or Safeway being robbed at gun point in recent history, but banks get robbed all the time.

[Rokyudai]

No signage on my bank that keeps me from legally entering while legally carrying.

[Standing Wolf]

My life is as worthy of being defended in banks as everywhere else.

[M2 Carbine]

Ok now for my question , would you carry in a bank?

Sure, all the time.

Years ago I bought a M1 Garand from a bank.
I did get some strange looks as I carried the rifle around as we were taking care of the payment.:D

[The Bushmaster]

M2 Carbine...Try this. About a year ago my bank had a Remington .22-250 in the lobby sitting on a table with a gun rag next to it. They were raffling it off for the Boy Scouts. Not chained and not guarded, unless you want to call a teller behind her window a guard...No one seemed the least bit flustered about it...

[3fgburner]

Virginia. I carry in the bank when I go, albeit usually just to use the ATM. SunTrust, my bank, doesn't post no-guns signs. If they do post, I'll change banks. I don't do business with banks that post.

[Boulder]

Same as everyone else, I carry in banks.

[The_woodsman]

Yes I carry in a bank all the time...Not a big deal.

[Ala Dan]

IMHO, banks (in state's with NO restrictions) are probably a place an armed
and polite citizen needs too carry a handgun in; for fear of being robbed or
attacked, coming or going~! I have [and do] carry in banks quite frequently.

[Intrepid Dad]

No problem in Colorado. I do it all the time.

[jdorian]

Banks don't care, just keep it concealed unless you are planning to cause problems.

[GRB]

In Minnesota there's nothing illegal about it. I am not 100 percent sure but I do believe that it is illegal to carry in banks in all 50 states, that is within FDIC banks. Itf I am not mistaken, that is federal law; but as i said I am not sure..

[WoofersInc]

Was cashing a check one time at a bank I don't have an account at but the check was drawn from them. Teller asked for 2 forms of ID. I opened my wallet and pulled out my driver's license and was looking for the second form of ID. The teller saw my CCW card and said "I can use that. It has your photo on it so that would be even better". When I handed it to her she flipped it over and checked what I had listed on the permit. Simply said "nice choices" and finished the transaction. I would have asked her out on the spot if I wasn't married.:D The banks here aren't posted and it has never been a problem for me.

[marinepilot81]

To play devil's advocate here, if you needed your weapon, and there was more than one person, wouldn't it be more dangerous to begin shooting than to allow the FDIC insured money to get away?

I'm not allowed to carry into banks in NC. Ahh...gun control.

[jdorian]

The FDIC does not insure money from theft, but rather bank failure.

[marinepilot81]

Oh, snap! I thought the money in bank robberies was insured? Maybe I'm watching too much TV.

[marv]

I carry in the bank. Concealed. In fact the manager of my branch bank notarized my app for renewal of my carry license.

[W.E.G.]

Dropping your gun on the floor in a bank is lame.

[RNB65]

Carrying in a bank is legal in VA. Even open carry is legal.

Of course, banks are private property and they have the right to post no gun signs on their door which would make it illegal.
.

[mitch256]

Well I work for a bank but let me clue everyone in on something.

I don't know about the legalities of carrying in your state but most all Banks are federally insured institutions. Trust me, you don't want to test the fences on this issue. Rest assured of one thing, if you are found to be carrying inside a bank lobby you had better be law enforcement or employed with Brinks or Wells Fargo. Even with a Concealed Carry Permit, at the very least, plan on being detained and spending some extra time explaining to the authorites of your intentions. At worst, plan on making a phone call to a realtive to arrange for bail money.

Carrying inside a bank is very risky and I wouldn't advise it. Banks don't screw around with security issues and would not give you the benefit of the doubt if you walked in with a gun, concealed or not.

[markk]

Nonsense...

[snakyjake]

I carry my firearm any where I feel necessary regardless of ridiculous laws. I believe the Bill of Rights was meant to protect me, and the right to bear arms was meant to protect me as well.

I hope not to be stupid enough to let anyone know that I was carrying, and if anyone did find out, it would be most likely because of a life threatening situation. And in that case, my decision would have been the best decision of my life.

[golden]

I live in FLORIDA and carrying a gun concealed into a bank is OK. That is per the FLORIDA concealed weapons law. HOWEVER, YOU CANNOT CARRY A GUN INTO A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION!
Under FLORIDA law, a bank is NOT A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION. This is a result of a shooting that took place back in 1987 I think. A guy shot the manager and stock broker at a brokerage. Bizarre part, he was a convicted crook in the witness protection program.

Jim

[RustyShackelford]

A few years ago I worked a storm recovery security job in NW Florida. A co-worker and I went into a Bank of America branch to cash our large paychecks(OT baby!!!, :D). This guy sat in his van and pulled out his Walther P-99 telling me "you can't go into banks with a concealed firearm, they are considered federal property". When I asked what he meant he told me it was a FDIC rule, :rolleyes:. None of this is true of course but I would double check with your state's laws/rules before you go into any place that deals in bank funds or $$$...

Rusty S

[crew590]

As mentioned in NC it's illegal to carry in a financial institution so I don't carry.

But, when I'm home in WV, there is no problem with carrying inside a bank (unless posted) so I do (concealed). I'm some what intimidated by the reaction I may get if I open carry. :uhoh:

Jay

[chris in va]

Wachovia has this tiny picture of a gun with line through it on their doors here. Haven't seen that on other banks. As a matter of fact, I read a post about someone open carrying in a Suntrust south of here and he possibly thwarted a robbery when the masked guy saw his gun on the hip.

[TAB]

Thats what really bugs me about the CA CCW laws( other then it depends on which county you live in rather you get one or not) you can't carry in banks. Which IMO really hurts the small biz owner. Its not uncomon for me to go in to or come out of a bank with large ammounts of cash.

[Trempel]

I carry wherever it's legal, bank being no exception. Why wouldn't I?

As for the guy whose gun fell out, wouldn't the same stupidity cause alarm if it happened just about anywhere?

[Trempel]

To play devil's advocate here, if you needed your weapon, and there was more than one person, wouldn't it be more dangerous to begin shooting than to allow the FDIC insured money to get away?
I carry to protect my life and if need be, the lives of others. If a robber decides to start plugging tellers and customers, FDIC won't really help in that case.

[RNB65]

Nonsense...

Agreed.

Banks are not God. They are corporations created by the several states and subject to state law the same as any other business. There is no federal law prohibiting carrying a weapon (open or concealed) inside banks. Some states specifically prohibit firearms in banks and some don't.

VA law doesn't directly prohibit gun carry in banks, but it does give private property owners the right to prohibit guns on their property. And banks are private property so they're free to post "no guns" signs on their doors if they so desire.
.

[ACORN]

I dunno, do I??:cool:

[RKBABob]

If its legal where you are, why not? You're not planning to whip it out and scream "this is a stickup!" are you? If you are, stop thinking that garbage right now. That's no way to get a date with a cute teller.

Just keep it concealed, and go about your business as you would in any store, restaurant, or movie theater.

[skeezix]

My bank (Credit Union) has one of those signs with a handgun inside a red circle and a red slash running through it - says something like "No Guns Allowed" (in English and Spanish).

In Texas, that signage is not the proper size/format/language which is required by the statute to make it illegal to carry in that establishment. So, I disregard all signs which do not conform to the law.

Other establishments are specifically designated as "gun free zones" by the law regardless of signage (bars, hospitals, nursing homes, schools, etc.) and I abide by the law in those cases.

Lorin

[The Lone Haranguer]

Carry in a bank? Absolutely. (Check your state laws; some may prohibit carry in banks; my adopted home state does not.) Most bank robberies do not involve violence - in fact, many are quite discreet - and I will not try to stop the robbery itself. But if the robbers exhibit wanton violence, start to herd people into a back room as a prelude to being killed, etc., I have made up my mind to go to war.

[Flopsy]

I asked my bank once if they have a policy, because I had planned to pick up a large sum of cash the next day. After pulling her jaw off the floor she told me they have a policy against it. I wished I hadn't asked.

[LKB3rd]

I do it. It's perfectly legal. Banks are private institutions.
Even with a Concealed Carry Permit, at the very least, plan on being detained and spending some extra time explaining to the authorites of your intentions.
No bank is going to detain me unless they want to face charges.

[bubbaturbo]

Well I work for a bank but let me clue everyone in on something.

I don't know about the legalities of carrying in your state but most all Banks are federally insured institutions. Trust me, you don't want to test the fences on this issue. Rest assured of one thing, if you are found to be carrying inside a bank lobby you had better be law enforcement or employed with Brinks or Wells Fargo. Even with a Concealed Carry Permit, at the very least, plan on being detained and spending some extra time explaining to the authorites of your intentions. At worst, plan on making a phone call to a realtive to arrange for bail money.

Carrying inside a bank is very risky and I wouldn't advise it. Banks don't screw around with security issues and would not give you the benefit of the doubt if you walked in with a gun, concealed or not.

Please show me where "federally insured institution" means anything with regard to this. As already stated, NONSENSE!

[Keegan]

I worked in a bank for five years, and I say it's nonsense.

[American_Pit_Bull]

I carry into my bank all of the time...

In fact, I couldn't think of a place that makes more sense to carry than where you are performing transactions with cash.

[ArchAngelCD]

Concealed means Concealed... What's the problem???

[Alan Fud]

if you are found to be carrying inside a bank lobby you had better be law enforcement or employed with Brinks or Wells Fargo. Even with a Concealed Carry Permit, at the very least, plan on being detained and spending some extra time explaining to the authorites of your intentions. At worst, plan on making a phone call to a realtive to arrange for bail money.

Carrying inside a bank is very risky and I wouldn't advise it. Banks don't screw around with security issues and would not give you the benefit of the doubt if you walked in with a gun, concealed or not.I don't understand. If you are licensed to carry and a bank is not prohibited by your state law, what would be the problem? I've carried in banks in FL & PA without problem and I never felt I was doing anything wrong either morally or legally.

[3fgburner]

Originally Posted by mitch256
if you are found to be carrying inside a bank lobby you had better be law enforcement or employed with Brinks or Wells Fargo. Even with a Concealed Carry Permit, at the very least, plan on being detained and spending some extra time explaining to the authorites of your intentions. At worst, plan on making a phone call to a realtive to arrange for bail money.

Carrying inside a bank is very risky and I wouldn't advise it. Banks don't screw around with security issues and would not give you the benefit of the doubt if you walked in with a gun, concealed or not.

In a word, Bull. Banks in Virginia may post "No Guns" signs, which have the same status as "No Guns" signs in any other business. If they catch you carrying, they ask you to leave. If you don't leave, they can call the cops. If the cop tells you to leave, and you refuse, you're busted for trespassing.

Banks that put up "No Guns" signs generally see two effects of the signs. They get robbed more than banks that don't post. They also wind up on the $#!+-list of VCDL and other gun groups, losing gun owners' business.

If a bank isn't posted (Suntrust, for example - my bank), then carry what and how you want. I OC sometimes at the bank, and have never been harassed. FDIC insurance doesn't make a rat's rectum worth of difference, vis-a-vis considering a bank to be a "federal building". All the wishing and delusions in the world don't make it so.

[Car Knocker]

I'm insured by the feds (Medicare) but that doesn't make my house federal property!

[ZombiesAhead]

Why wouldn't I carry in a bank? (unless legally prohibited) Banks are subject to robbery/violence/criminals more often than the local gun store or grocery store I imagine...

[msb45]

Carried in the bank today. If I got stopped I show my permit and walk.

Bank makes a fuss I walk. Left Wachovia. I'm no millionaire but my 401k isn't tiny either. Bank wants to know why I'm there I can always say to transfer my money to a gun friendly bank.

[ClickClickD'oh]

Well I work for a bank but let me clue everyone in on something.

Weeell, I have worked law enforcement and executive protection in banking facilities and let me clue you in on something. You are wrong. Banks being Federally insured does not make them Federal facilities. If your particular state allows concealed carry and does not prohibit such in a bank, it is legal to do so. There is no Federal law that prohibits the carry of a firearm in a banking facility.

[tiko_joe]

i thought it was federal law that you can not carry in federal buildings, hospitals, banks, and school, along with most state and city goverment buildings. also if you walking into a store and its posted no fire arms than it is illegall to carry not just in there store but also on their property.

[patentmike]

tiny picture of a gun with line through

That just means "no shooting", like a cigarette with a line through it means "no smoking", not, "no cigarettes discreetly tucked into a pocket or holster".

[JesseL]

i thought it was federal law that you can not carry in federal buildings, hospitals, banks, and school, along with most state and city goverment buildings. also if you walking into a store and its posted no fire arms than it is illegall to carry not just in there store but also on their property.

The only federal law that I'm aware of that applies to any of those places is schools (The Federal Gun-Free School-Zones Act (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun-Free_School_Zones_Act)), and that contains allows to states to make exceptions for permit holders.

The rules for federal buildings vary with the building and agency in question. The rules for hospitals, banks, state & local gov't buildings, and posted private property vary widely from state to state and sometimes within the state too.

[RNB65]

i thought it was federal law that you can not carry in federal buildings, hospitals, banks, and school, along with most state and city goverment buildings.

No. Not hardly.

I suggest you do a little research. Here are a couple of good places to start.

The laws of your country:

http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/

The laws of your state:

http://le.utah.gov/%7Ecode/code.htm