This is a rant on the local Wachovia branch (Statesboro, GA). This happened to me last May, and I thought I would share it with you guys. I had an account with them for almost 3 years when this happened.
Due to a certain family member stealing money out of an old bank account in my hometown I no longer resided in, I was forced to drive about 250 miles to pick up a cashier's check in the 5-digit range and drive 250 miles back. This was a big stink in the family, and plenty of family and friends knew I was coming to get the check, where I would be staying, and what route I would be taking. So I (being the intellectual I am) decided carrying a concealed weapon wouldn't be a bad idea.
Well, the trip was flawless. I was carrying a compact .40S&W in a leather pancake holster in my mid-back. It was carefully covered by a nice polo shirt. As I arrived in town, I went directly to the bank. It was 3PM, so they were undoubtedly busy. I stood in line with my deposit slip and a very large cashier's check. There were a little over a dozen people ahead of me in line, and more coming in.
Well, someone ahead of me dropped their pen. Without think I did the gentlemanly thing of bending over to pick it up. I guess the barrel of my 40 must have poked out from under the shirt for a second, and someone happened to see it.
Not even 2 minutes later, I was being asked by a manager to step out of the line. They asked me to leave. I asked why, and they asked if I was carrying a gun. I didn't lie. I told them I was carrying a concealed firearm for defensive purposes because I was traveling on business, AND that I was fully licensed to do so. I explained my situation with the large check and trip, and that I had carried in there before on business in the 2+ years I had been banking with them. They explained that I had made the customers uneasy and they didn't want any problems. Well, the customers were still all behind me that were there before! I must not have scared them too bad.
I did leave as asked. If I had stayed and argued, they could have called the police and filed trespassing charges. In response, I did the worst thing I could have done... Took the check elsewhere and closed out my account the next day. I've even open carried in my new bank when I've moved stuff into and out of my safety deposit box. No problems.
My point? Don't trust your life saving with someone who doesn't trust you.
Due to a certain family member stealing money out of an old bank account in my hometown I no longer resided in, I was forced to drive about 250 miles to pick up a cashier's check in the 5-digit range and drive 250 miles back. This was a big stink in the family, and plenty of family and friends knew I was coming to get the check, where I would be staying, and what route I would be taking. So I (being the intellectual I am) decided carrying a concealed weapon wouldn't be a bad idea.
Well, the trip was flawless. I was carrying a compact .40S&W in a leather pancake holster in my mid-back. It was carefully covered by a nice polo shirt. As I arrived in town, I went directly to the bank. It was 3PM, so they were undoubtedly busy. I stood in line with my deposit slip and a very large cashier's check. There were a little over a dozen people ahead of me in line, and more coming in.
Well, someone ahead of me dropped their pen. Without think I did the gentlemanly thing of bending over to pick it up. I guess the barrel of my 40 must have poked out from under the shirt for a second, and someone happened to see it.
Not even 2 minutes later, I was being asked by a manager to step out of the line. They asked me to leave. I asked why, and they asked if I was carrying a gun. I didn't lie. I told them I was carrying a concealed firearm for defensive purposes because I was traveling on business, AND that I was fully licensed to do so. I explained my situation with the large check and trip, and that I had carried in there before on business in the 2+ years I had been banking with them. They explained that I had made the customers uneasy and they didn't want any problems. Well, the customers were still all behind me that were there before! I must not have scared them too bad.
I did leave as asked. If I had stayed and argued, they could have called the police and filed trespassing charges. In response, I did the worst thing I could have done... Took the check elsewhere and closed out my account the next day. I've even open carried in my new bank when I've moved stuff into and out of my safety deposit box. No problems.
My point? Don't trust your life saving with someone who doesn't trust you.