Penn Security Bank and Trust Company, Scranton PA

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The task at hand is to both educate, and to make it a public relations nightmare...

"The bank does not allow legally armed people who are making large cash deposits inside."

Step two, campers: I don't live in Scranton, and I don't know beans about the area. We need web sites, e-mail and phone numbers for the local media. Newspapers, networks, news radio stations, and even counter-culture stuff if it's there.
 
Im new here and wanted to chime in. Im originally from Pa. and now live just across the line in NY and am licensed to carry in both states. In the area of Pa. that I travel in I have never seen such a thing! In NY my bank has a sign asking you to remove your sunglasses or motorcycle helmet but your allowed to carry. The sunglass thing is so the camera can record your image. I wear prescription sunglasses and have never been asked to remove them either. I would love to help you if there is a way for a NY resident to do so.
 
Armueller2001
Senior Member
Join Date: 02-18-08
Location: Illinois
Posts: 124

Armueller2001 said:
Found the central bank manager's email...

[email protected]

Sent this to them, although I don't live in PA, they don't need to know that.

Hi, I'm a new Scranton resident
and I stopped by your location to open a new account when I saw the sign on the door, notifying me that my civil rights (2nd amendment) were not welcome there. I own non-resident Florida permit that legally allows me to carry a concealed firearm in 28 states, including Pennsylvania. To obtain that permit, I took a firearm training class, had fingerprints taken, and had an FBI background check/mental health history check. I can defend myself and my family virtually everywhere else, but your bank does not trust me to do the same in your facility. A sign on the front door is not going to stop someone who is intent on causing harm or robbing your bank. Such signs and policies only disarm the law abiding citizens who have gone through the time and effort to obtain legal means of self-defense. The people who rob banks are not concealed carry permit holders, in fact, a majority of them are repeat felons who are not even legally allowed to OWN their guns, much less carry them. I'm assuming you haven't heard many stories like this one, when law-abiding citizens are a benefit to businesses such as yours --> link

I am at a total disagreement with your ban on self defense, and will be opening a business account at one of your competitor's banks.

Thank you for your time, and have a great day

I checked; there is no Scranton in Illinois. Lying is not High Road. I appreciate the effort these other individuals put forth to educate people and push business to modify silly policy. I do not feel your dishonesty maintains the integrity of this effort.
 
I checked; there is no Scranton in Illinois. Lying is not High Road... I do not feel your dishonesty maintains the integrity of this effort.

Unless, I'm reading it wrong, he does seem to admit that he is lying:

Armueller2001 said:
Found the central bank manager's email...

[email protected]

Sent this to them, although I don't live in PA, they don't need to know that.


Lying, besides being anti-High Road, kind of, um, destroys one's credibility.

And reflects negatively on those associated with the person lying if their affiliation is for a common cause or POV. Is it fair for Mr. Baruffaldi or others opposing gun rights to tie lying and pro-gun rights complainants together when discovering the truth about such e-mails?

Probably not. But I can see how it would happen.
 
Doesn't mean you can't call,and tell them that you're going to tell your relatives in PA about their actions.

And it's time to call the media too...

And now someone will post with another reason not to call...
 
Going to Mail this out tomorrow or Friday when I get the chance.

Dear Sirs,
I was born in the great state of Pennsylvania and while I do not live in the state, I have many family members in Pennsylvania. As my mother was from a "small" catholic family of seven, all of whom have large families. It has come to my attention that recently you have started a policy that citizens who lawfully carry self-defense weapons as proscribed by law are no longer welcome in your bank. It is unfortunate that this policy is in place, as if someone wanted to rob your bank, a sign will not cause them to stop, but it WILL prevent law-abiding citizens from being able to defend themselves. I am glad that I did not make the choice that will cause someone to be hurt or killed when your policy made them unable to defend themselves, however I will pass this on to the many family members I have in the Keystone State to switch banks and not to open accounts with your bank.
 
This is really a private property issue. The bank can make any rules that they want on BANK PROPERTY. The only absolute right you have there is the right to leave. The bank is perfectly within its rights to prohibit ANYTHING that they don't want in their bank.

That being said, YOU are perfectly within your rights not to do business with this bank, to persuade others not to and to let the bank know all about it. If enough people began to withdraw large enough accounts the bank will reconsider the rule.

Just don't get the government involved!
 
Owen does have a good point that gun folks typically ignore with a double standard. You want people to respect your private rights yet you don't care about the private rights of others. Can't have it both ways. A business owner can trespass anyone they want. It's their right. If you don't like it, take your business elsewhere and let them know why.
 
Nobody is asking the government to intervene, they are asking this bank to change its policies and generally stating they will stop being customers if they don't, in accordance with the OP's request. The Bank can have this policy, we can ask them to change it because we think it is foolish. No double standard.
 
My words were more in response to those who feel this is some sort of travesty that has to change no matter what. I feel it is best to do what most people will and just leave and say why. Constantly harping the management to change their personal views seems off. Would you like the Brady Campaign to call your house and email you all day? Different people have different beliefs. That's what America is all about. If someone want to have an opposing viewpoint then that is their right.
 
Is there a better invitation for criminals??
I would like to ask this banks insurance company if they charge a higher rate, since they put themselves at a higher risk!
My bank by the way has a sign not to wear sunglasses and hats.
Now while I still wear my hat and sunglasses (they know me anyway) at least the sign states “please” and I can live with this policy.
It is understandable.
I take my gun everywhere. If I had an account at this bank, I would call them and close my account and I would not accept any checks from this bank and that would be it.
By the way, does this bank have any branches in a mall or shopping center??
 
It's not about "private property rights."

It's about them posting an insulting sign. Would you be talking about private property rights if it was a billboard?

Why is it every time we start talking about trying to DO SOMETHING about these signs, someone starts jabbering about "property rights?"

We want to change their policy. We want to change their minds.

It's -real- easy to just do nothing.

It's -real- easy to encourage others to do nothing.

Do something.
 
If you remove your money and let them know why then you are doing something. If you constantly hassle them, then you are just being annoying. Seriously, if you owned a business that tolerated the carrying of firearms, how receptive would you be of the Brady Campaign constantly calling, sending letters, and emailing you? You can do something about it but getting fussy and harassing people over their opposing viewpoints seems like a childish waste of time. If enough people remove their business then something will change. If not enough people remove their business then obviously not enough people care and the bank won't care. That's as far as it will go.
 
Well... they DO have the right to post their sign. It is private property.

But we have the right to not patronize that business. We have the right to notify them of our intent not to. We have the right to let them know their policy is distasteful.

Everyone involved here is within their rights. So lets not start in on "rights".


-T.
 
And yes it is about private property rights. Civil rights should apply to everyone, not just those that share our viewpoints. They aren't taking any rights away from you bc you are not required to be on their property. But to think you should have the power to tell them what to do beyond the scope of being an angry customer is ridiculous.
 
I'd let them know my feelings. Whether or not I would close an account(s) there and move them elsewhere would be based on their response.

I do feel they have the right to limit guns on their private property whether it be a customer or employee. The parking lot which is also their property is another matter.
 
If they don't know why people are leaving their business, why would they change their policy?

It's a business with customers, I think customers sending them lots of e-mails telling them what they think of that policy is perfectly fine. How is that infringing on their precious property rights?
 
I don't see a problem with someone letting them know why they left their business. It's the right thing to do. I do think it is wrong to do it in a hassling manner or blow the situation out of proportion though. I envy the person who doesn't have bigger things to worry about in life or more pressing concerns.
 
22-rimfire said:
Whether or not I would close an account(s) there and move them elsewhere would be based on their response.

I think that's key. If they were to respond, "We believe guns to be a epidemic in this country and are doing our part to stop gun violence.", well, I'm out on that. Sayonara PSB.

But, if they were to respond, "We have posted such signs in response to concerns from customers.", that how could I fault them? They can't be expected to go out of business taking a stand. Ultimately, they need to do whatever upsets fewer customers. I'd probably still leave, but with the understanding that they have a business to run and keeping me may cost more other customers.


-T.
 
DrGong, if you are mailing that letter, you may want to rephrase.
From dictionary.reference.com
proscribe
1. to denounce or condemn (a thing) as dangerous or harmful; prohibit.
2. to put outside the protection of the law; outlaw.
3. to banish or exile.
4. to announce the name of (a person) as condemned to death and subject to confiscation of property.
Synonyms 1. censure, disapprove, repudiate

I try very hard to not be a jerk with grammar or spelling, but in the case of mailing a protest letter, hopefully it won't be taken improperly. I assume you mis-typed "prescribed".
also From dictionary.reference.com
prescribe
1. to lay down, in writing or otherwise, as a rule or a course of action to be followed; appoint, ordain, or enjoin.
2. Medicine/Medical. to designate or order the use of (a medicine, remedy, treatment, etc.).
–verb (used without object)
3. to lay down rules; direct; dictate.
4. Medicine/Medical. to designate remedies, treatment, etc., to be used.

5. Law. to claim a right or title by virtue of long use and enjoyment; make a prescriptive claim.
Back on the topic, I find it ludicrous that businesses think prohibiting lawful carry makes anybody on their property safer.
Unless, of course they actually have an armed and trained force waiting just out of sight for the purpose of subduing anybody threatening their employees/customers. Anything less is simply ignorant.

Sadly, the family I do have in PA don't bank with this institution, and I live in OH, where the silly signs are everywhere. I still can't figure out where the armed security are hiding in those places that do post as "gun-free zones", so I assume they are invisible ninjas waiting to spring into action to protect the innocent a moment before danger presents itself.
 
want to know what their security force is? their head of security, who sits in an office all day, and an old guy in uniform, who walks around the parking lot, unarmed.
 
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