Nothing happened Friday at the bank

[Yoda]

Several friends and gun shop owners have assured me that you can't carry concealed or otherwise into banks "because they are FDIC-insured institutions." I haven't found any laws pertaining to any such restriction, and I routinely have a S&W 442 in my pocket when I visit the bank... just like I do when I go to the supermarket, the movies, the toy store, the resturant, etc.

Friday was a little different. I had given a brother-in-law a Ruger P-90 a few weeks earlier, and I told him I also had some spare magazines he could have. Friday morning I found one of those spares, an after-market extended-length magazine (10 rounds?). Anyway, i just dropped it in my shirt pocket, base plate up. It extended above the edge of the pocket by about an inch to an inch-and-a-half.

So, I forgot about it, and then I dropped into a local bank to cash a check. While talking with the teller, I suddenly remembered that magazine sticking up. OK, so nothing happened. She didn't even notice, or if she did, she may not have known what it was.

But what if I had stopped by the post office? Ooops. That magazine might have gotten someone's attention, and while I could argue that the magazine isn't banned by postal regs (my opinion), a body search might have found other things.

The point? Nothing. As I said, nothing happened.

BTW: Any other fans of the P-90 out there? Rock-solid reliability, and damn accurate.

- - - Yoda

 

[redraidermgr]

Just picked up a P95 this week. Great guns and made in America too!

 

[smalls]

I know in Michigan, our CPL states all the gun free zones on the back, and banks are not on it. I have heard that it's illegal to open carry into a bank, though.

 

[FROGO207]

Well I have been on the way to go deer hunting and had to stop at the bank. So I just popped in, conducted my transaction, and left. Later as I was driving up the road I realized I had my Ruger 44 MAG on my belt when I went in. No problems from anyone either. I had no coat on or anything, hard not to miss that revolver LOL. This is rural Maine and most everyone that hunts parks with a rifle in the rear window during hunting season, even at the post office.

 

[jcj]

Banks are not considered federal property simply because of their association with the FDIC. They are covered under the same rules regulating any other private business. Here in TN that means they can post signs prohibiting carry just like any other business, but they're not "special".

I suppose there may be states that prohibit bank carry by state statute. Some pretty odd gun laws on the books in some otherwise carry-friendly states.

 

[Skribs]

I have a friend that worked at a local bank before she moved away, and related this story that happened right after she took an awareness course regarding suspicious activity. It was one of those days in Western Washington that was over 80 degrees (anyone familiar with the area knows that that's blistering for us), and a man walks in with a hoodie and sunglasses, with his hands in his pockets. He makes his way to the counter, and lifts up his sweatshirt so that what's in his pockets falls to the table with a loud, metal THUNK. (At this point, the teller next to my friend gasped). Then the man pulls his hand out of his pocket, hands my friend the roll of quarters, and says "I'd like to deposit this."

This post reminded me of that story, because often times people do notice when you're carrying. Typically they'll talk to their manager about it out of earshot of you (as happened when I worked at a grocery store), and the manager will say to just ignore it. From the perspective of the teller, it probably doesn't matter if she says anything - if you're there to commit armed robbery, you're going to commit armed robbery.

 

[CajunBass]

Spot a magazine? You've got to be kidding. Most people wouldn't notice an AK slung over your shoulder.

Whether it's "legal" or not is a matter of local law, or more likely just a "rule." Obey as you see fit.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Several friends and gun shop owners have assured me that you can't carry concealed or otherwise into banks "because they are FDIC-insured institutions." I haven't found any laws pertaining to any such restriction ...

This bears repeating. Just because the funds within are FDIC insured does not make a bank a federal building! They are private property. Only if a state has such a law, or if the bank wishes to "post" - e.g., Regions Bank - can you not carry in a bank.

... a man walks in with a hoodie and sunglasses ...

Not to worry, Regions is on the job! They prohibit those, too. As well as motorcycle helmets. I feel so much safer.

 

[FROGO207]

There used to be a sign in the lobby with the revolver and circle/slash. It has been removed and the new sign has the hoodie, sunglasses, and ball cap on it. I am relieved to find my bank fears a ball cap more than a firearm.

 

[Jeff F]

I open carry in Wells Fargo all the time, only thing I can remember being said is 'nice gun'. One time open carrying in Smiths some California transplant called a man with a gun report in to the sheriffs office, deputy pulled up as I was loading up the jeep, it was a non issue.

 

[Plan2Live]

As someone who works inside a bank all day I'll chime in. Our local manager "forgot" to post the circle/slash sign for as long as he could. Corporate finally insisted and the sign went up in as unnoticable spot as he could manage. We (local branch) recognize that many of our customers carry for their own peace of mind and we understand. Although we regularly joke about one customer who prints so badly he may as well just open carry. Because of the lawyers and insurance people, corporate has to take a different approach and insist on posting the signs.

Now, if we spot a weapon on someone we don't know, we don't panic and set of the alarms, we simply increase our awareness and/or politely greet them eyeball to eyeball while smiling to let them know we have acknowledged them and have probably taken a good look at them. A move that will spook many robbers.

Now, as for the sunglasses/ball cap/helmet/hoody, come on, give me a break, if you take even a nano second to think about it, asking patrons to come in without any identity masking apparel WILL discourage many robbers. Even robbers recognize the quality of cameras these days and they do not want their non-disguised faces on local TV or Internet. If you feel that is an infringement on your rights, use the drive through window. And by the way, try getting your driver's license photo taken while similarly dressed. Good luck!

And while we are on that topic, why do you think so many people adorn their cars with those smoke colored license plate covers? Do you really think it's all about vehicular fashion? Heck no, they are looking for one more item their lawyer can use if they are ever pulled over, plain and simple. Personallly I would ban those on a national basis and I am not one for additional laws but that one makes perfect sense.

 

[slowr1der]

Now, as for the sunglasses/ball cap/helmet/hoody, come on, give me a break, if you take even a nano second to think about it, asking patrons to come in without any identity masking apparel WILL discourage many robbers. Even robbers recognize the quality of cameras these days and they do not want their non-disguised faces on local TV or Internet. If you feel that is an infringement on your rights, use the drive through window. And by the way, try getting your driver's license photo taken while similarly dressed. Good luck!

I disagree with this. Yes, they may not want to come in without their face hidden because of the cameras, but if they are intending to come in with their face covered, do you really think that sign is going to stop them? I certainly don't, but we are free to have our own opinions.

As for the license plate covers, they are already illegal in many places.

 

[pintler]

I suppose there may be states that prohibit bank carry by state statute.

Montana is one.

asking patrons to come in without any identity masking apparel WILL discourage many robbers.

It will also discourage many patrons .

 

[LibShooter]

Nothing happened Friday at the bank

Yep, much of the time nothing happens when you break speed limits, toss a cigarette butt out your car window or ignore other laws and regulations. But if something does happen... you are often pretty sorry.

The banks around here are posted with weapon prohibitions. Since I don't pay the rent on their building I let them make the rules.

 

[bearcreek]

Yep, much of the time nothing happens when you break speed limits, toss a cigarette butt out your car window or ignore other laws and regulations. But if something does happen... you are often pretty sorry.

The banks around here are posted with weapon prohibitions. Since I don't pay the rent on their building I let them make the rules.

Are all the banks around you posted? I'd take a drive around and check if I were you. I've had many discussions with people in my area who said things like that, or "there's so many prohibited signs up it's no use getting my permit because I couldn't carry most places anyway". The truth is, within a 60 mile radius, a little less than half the banks, one grocery store, a feed store, a couple book stores and a few other small business's are CPZ's. The vast majority of business's are not.

 

[Mainsail]

We open carry in banks here in Washington with little drama. When I do, I usually have my wallet in my hand in line to put the tellers at ease.

 

[LibShooter]

Are all the banks around you posted?

Pretty much. There are bank branches in some of the supermarkets around here. If the stores aren't posted, I guess the banks aren't. I've yet to see a stand-alone building without the slash sign somewhere. Sometimes the branch managers manage to hide them pretty well, though.

 

[medalguy]

I've been in banks in Colorado with signs asking (?) patrons to remove ski masks and hoods before entering the building. Same in New Mexico where they ask that you remove hats and sunglasses. Doesn't that make you feel safer already?

 

[DeepSouth]

Yep, much of the time nothing happens when you break speed limits, toss a cigarette butt out your car window or ignore other laws and regulations. But if something does happen... you are often pretty sorry.

The banks around here are posted with weapon prohibitions. Since I don't pay the rent on their building I let them make the rules.

Since they aren't responsible for the lives and safety of me and my family I chose break their rules. I will say my bank is owned locally and I have never noticed a sign, not that I look very hard.

 

[gamestalker]

Some states have it included in their gun free zones, Montana is one, and other's have absolutely no restriction and leave it to the business to allow or not. Here in Arizona I have never seen a sign in a bank that doesn't allow them. I have carried my gun into the back open for so many years I can't even estimate how long, and I have never been confronted about it or asked to remove it.
I have noticed that some towns in Arizona such as Prescott, Cottonwood, and Sedona are all very liberal and have made numerous attemps to restrict guns in public. But in Arizona it's a no go to try and stomp on our second, and I for one have never acknowledged those who make those attemps, inlcuding law enforcement that have tried to intimidate me. I've had LE try to encourage me by saying well if your going to insist on wearing be prepared to to bothered. My simple response has been, you mean harassed?

 

[Warp]

I've open carried to the bank. It's no different than anywhere else, really

Now, as for the sunglasses/ball cap/helmet/hoody, come on, give me a break, if you take even a nano second to think about it, asking patrons to come in without any identity masking apparel WILL discourage many robbers. Even robbers recognize the quality of cameras these days and they do not want their non-disguised faces on local TV or Internet. If you feel that is an infringement on your rights, use the drive through window. And by the way, try getting your driver's license photo taken while similarly dressed. Good luck!

The sign isn't going to stop anybody who wants to commit a crime from coming in with their identity concealed.


And by the way, your driver license comment is not at all irrelevant. You expect people to listen to what you say? Good luck!

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

Now, as for the sunglasses/ball cap/helmet/hoody, come on, give me a break, if you take even a nano second to think about it, asking patrons to come in without any identity masking apparel WILL discourage many robbers. Even robbers recognize the quality of cameras these days and they do not want their non-disguised faces on local TV or Internet. If you feel that is an infringement on your rights, use the drive through window. And by the way, try getting your driver's license photo taken while similarly dressed. Good luck!

You're right! Criminals intent on robbing the place will be asked to leave and they will HAVE to comply or they're breaking the law! Oh wait, robbing banks is against the law aswell....

 

[NavyLCDR]

That's what really just kills me about signs. So, it's already illegal to commit robbery. It's already illegal to threaten someone with a firearm. Yet these corporations think that posting a sign, which in most states has no legal weight and no legal penalties for violating, is somehow going to dissuade the criminal from using a firearm or a mask during a robbery. REALLY!?!

 

[Twiki357]

With 14 years working for B of A, then Wells Fargo, and 17 years as a Federal bank examiner, there is no prohibition against carring a firearm in a bank. The only exception would be if there are state/local ordances against it, otherwise a bank is no different than any other retail business.

 

[armoredman]

I was asked to leave ONE bank in AZ while armed, and I was working for the range right across the parking lot, ID tag on and all. I laughed, turned around and walked out, never went into that Wells Fargo again. No idea if they are still anti or not, shop changed hands a while ago.
I have been asked what kind of ammo I prefer, when I open carried before CCW came out. The bank we use now isn't posted for anything. I do stop at the door and make a careful glance around before I come all the way in, and a teller asked me what i was looking for. I said "People lying on the floor, bad sign."