5/3 Bank No Carry Zone

[Barbara]

This is an exchange between a friend and the bank:

Yesterday, following up on a post on Ohioans for Concealed Crry's website, I wrote the following request to Fifth Third Bank

Our business is a Fifth Third customer here in Hillsdale, MI. As I am a Michigan Concealed Weapon's permit holder, I regularly carry my licensed firearm when I do my daily banking. Today, I was sent a copy of a response from Fifth Third's customer service department regarding their policy about customers carrying firearms in their branches. It reads:
"Thank you for using Fifth Third Banking and for providing us the opportunity to service your needs. In response to your recent inquiry, the safety of our customers is important to Fifth Third Bank. To limit the anxiety and concerns of the majority of our customers, we have chosen not to allow the carrying of concealed weapons in our banking centers.

Kathy H. Fifth Third Internet Bank"

As this particular question was posed by a customer from Ohio, I am concerned whether that this policy applies to all of your branches or just those within that state.

I would appreciate knowing whether or not I may carry my firearm in your Michigan locations and if I may, why I may not in neighboring Ohio which is only 9 miles from my home. If I may not, then I assume that I will need to find another bank.

Thanks,
_____

Today, I received the following reply. I'll be taking a copy of this reply in this afternoon when I close out our account.

You may contact them yourselves at www.fifththird.com

Dear _____:

Thank you for using Fifth Third Internet Banking and for providing us the opportunity to service your needs. In response to recent inquiry, the safety of our customers is important to 5/3 and to limit the anxiety and concerns of the majority of our customers we have chosen to not allow the carrying of concealed weapons. We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your business and look forward to serving you in the future. If you require any further assistance, please email us 24 hours a day or contact a Customer Service Professional at 1-800-972-3030, Monday through Friday between 7:00 AM and 12:00 AM, ET, Saturday or Sunday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, ET. At Fifth Third Bank, We're "Working Hard To Be The Only Bank You'll Ever Need. ®"
Randy R
Fifth Third Internet Banking

 

[glocksman]

They may not allow it, but they don't post their policy in any of their Indiana locations, so screw 'em. I carry in my area 5/3 branches whenever I want to.

 

[Barbara]

Well, that'll certainly prove useful in changing company policy!

 

[R.H. Lee]

Fifth Third Bank? That's a very funny name for a second rate bank. You won't change company policy. Just go ahead and carry anyway. Do they have metal detectors at the door? So they won't know about it. If you like the bank and the service is great, keep 'em. What they don't know won't hurt them.

I've blown off banks before for rude crappy service, not to mention names, but the initials are Bank of America, and Santa Lucia Bank.

 

[ExtremeDooty]

Fifth Third is a stupid name for a bank anyway. I closed my account there when it was still Old Kent.

 

[Barbara]

Well, we have an account there..living here in the sticks, its hard to find a bank with branches in other cities. Still, if they don't change the policy, we're moving our account.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I don't do business with organizations that believe they're entitled to prevent me from exercising my civil rights.

 

[Mark13]

Instead of writing a letter asking them to change their policy, which they don't seem inclined to do, why don't you inquire as to how they will be enforcing their no weapons policy?

A policy with no enforcement is no policy. So if they are not going to enforce it, then ask them why they have the policy in the first place? If you are feeling extra ballsy(and if there is no penalty for violating a "no weapons" posting), why not inform them that you will be ignoring their policy?

 

[Sergeant Sabre]

In Michigan if you violate one of those "don't carry in here" zones that private businesses set up, you're only guilty of trespassing (and then only when they detect your weapon and ask you to leave)

 

[Wildalaska]

I don't do business with organizations that believe they're entitled to prevent me from exercising my civil rights.

I dunno Wolf, ya got an awful lot of businesses in there and unless you are using Linux, your OS is put out by one of those companies...

WildcarryinthebankanywaywhataretheygonnadogiveyabackyermoneyAlaska

 

[Chris Rhines]

...your OS is put out by one of those companies...

God forgive me for defending Microsoft, but Microsoft the corporation is not anti-gun to the best of my knowledge. Bill Gates, the person, is anti-gun, and has donated money to various anti-gun hate groups. I have read that the Microsoft Gun Club has fought back by sending matching donations to the NRA, et al.

- Chris

 

[MMcCall]

Bill Gates != Microsoft as a whole. I used to shoot at WSI in Bellevue with a couple guys that were on the MS shooting team.

 

[WhiteKnight]

Hmmm. Here in NC you can't carry into any financial instituion, period.

 

[El Tejon]

White, geez, that stinks. No carry zones are just plain silly. Glad I live in gun friendly Yankeeland.

Don't have any accounts with 5th3d, maybe send them a letter telling them I might switch if they change their policy in other states.

 

[2nd Amendment]

Called a buddy of mine who's executive VP in Charge of Annoyances, or some such Department, at a 5/3 bank...he said "Yeah, right, sure. whatever. What the (deleted for Art's Granny) don't know won't hurt 'em." As such I suspect in Indiana at least the policy is, umm...not strongly enforced.

 

[TonyB]

Ask them if they're gonna protect you and the other customers when some scum hole comes in and robs the place and starts killing people......the anxiety of the customers......how....if it's concealed,it's concealed..just another liberal organization........:banghead:

 

[Andrew Rothman]

...the safety of our customers is important to Fifth Third Bank. To limit the anxiety and concerns of the majority of our customers, we have chosen not to allow the carrying of concealed weapons in our banking centers.

Because the safety of your customers is important, the bank wants to limit customers' anxiety and concerns?

Um, but, lady, I mean, you know that those two things have nothing to do with each other, right?

Try this: "The financial security of our customers' accounts is important to us. To limit the anxiety and concerns of the majority of our customers, we have chosen not to allow black cats, broken mirrors or the number 13 in our banking centers."

It makes just as much sense.

 

[Henry Bowman]

The real question that the original poster failed to ask is whether 5/3 posts "no guns" signs at Indiana or Kentucky branches (report on Indiana noted). If not, that provides ammo when writing to them (based in Cincinnati, OH). Why do you trust us less than your IN or KY customers? Those states have had CCW for many, many years w/o a problem. In Ohio, 5/3 branches are being robbed at a rate of about 2 a week. Indiana allows CCW with no training and at age 18. KY requires less training. We are not trying to get In and KY branches posted, just point out the irrationality of their Ohio gun phobia.

In Michigan if you violate one of those "don't carry in here" zones that private businesses set up, you're only guilty of trespassing (and then only when they detect your weapon and ask you to leave)

But in Ohio it's not just a trespass or a "you must leave when asked," it's a felony. Bad law. Needs fixed.

 

[Ktulu]

"The financial security of our customers' accounts is important to us. To limit the anxiety and concerns of the majority of our customers, we have chosen not to allow black cats, broken mirrors or the number 13 in our banking centers."

...or improper fractions.

 

[effengee]

Twice I've had the cops called on me for carrying into a business OPENLY!

Never been bothered when I tuck it under my shirt...
I go into banks, package stores, gas stations, and the rare run to the licquor store, carrying a concealed firearm all the time...
It doesn't seem to bother most people.
Maybe because I "look" like just an average guy doing some errands.
That I prefer to do them armed is my choice and my right to KEEP and BEAR arms. I'm not a member of the militia, I'm not a criminal, I'm a member of "the people" that are mentioned throughout the constitution and BOR.
My firearm is no more dangerous to the majority of patrons on my hip than the firearm on the hip of any given police officer...
Do "they" really think that just because a person puts on a uniform or carries a recognizable identification that the person becomes instantly devoid of criminal deeds, thoughts or intentions?




"A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky, dangerous animals and you know it. Fifteen hundred years ago everybody knew the earth was the center of the universe. Five hundred years ago everybody knew the earth was flat, and fifteen minutes ago you knew people were alone on this planet. Imagine what we'll know tomorrow."
Agent Kay, of The Men In Black...

 

[sendec]

Robbery

At least 2 people in this thread have alluded to the potential for being in the middle of a robbery. IMHO, unless BGs are starting to kill hostages or something equally drastic, this is not the time for gunplay. It would be an excellent opportunity to get shot by responding officers, or that layoff man who the robbers placed in the building prior to the robbery, just to deal with heros and to cover their escape. The bank's money is'nt worth your life. Be a good witness.

Does anyone actually know what 5/3rd means?

 

[Stand_Watie]

Does anyone actually know what 5/3rd means?

It means "Old Kent sounds too much like a brand of cigarettes and 1st and 2nd were all already taken".

 

[CatsDieNow]

If I remember correctly 5/3 was the result of a "fifth bank" and a "third bank" merging.

 

[tyme]

History

Fifth Third traces its origins to the Bank of the Ohio Valley, which opened its doors in Cincinnati in 1858. In 1871, that bank was purchased by the Third National Bank. With the turn of the century came the union of the Third National Bank and the Fifth National Bank, and eventually the organization became known as "Fifth Third Bank." Since its beginning, Fifth Third has provided superior customer service and followed sound banking principles.

 

[JerryM]

I agree with sendec.

We CHL holders must realize that we are not cops or off-duty cops. We have neither the authority nor responsibilities that they do.

It might be more dangerous to take any action to stop the crime than to let it play out. I don't think most bank robberies include killing. To draw and try to stop the robbers could very well cause others to be shot unnecessarily. Imagine that you started shooting and someone else got shot. It might be said that it was your fault, and if you had just stayed calm then no one would have been hurt, and that is probably true.
Of course when the BG indicate that they are about to shoot or do shoot then it is another story.

For me, they can rob the bank and I will just stand by unless there is violence that makes me believe I am in danger or maybe someoe else. The circumstances dictate what I would do.

Businesses and banks do not expect their employees to get into a gun battle to protect the cash, and I do not intend to do it either.

Jerry