# Carrying a gun into a bank **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 21, 2003, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrying-a-gun-into-a-bank/176604 "2003-05-21T18:04:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Malice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/278dde/32.png) [@Malice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malice)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2003, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrying-a-gun-into-a-bank/176604/1 "2003-05-21T18:04:06Z")
Just curious if there are laws restricting carrying a firearm into a bank in the absence of malicious intent. For example, I carry a unconcealed 9mm in an obvious shoulder holster, do not brandish it in any way. I carry no emblem or identification to suggest I am law enforcement or security guard. Just a random schmo with a Glock and a desire to deposit a paycheck. Aside from being a action likely to instill unneccesary anxiety in patrons, tellers and security guards, is this by itself a crime in any jurisdiction? Or does the Second Amendment obviate any would-be restriction. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2003, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrying-a-gun-into-a-bank/176604/2 "2003-05-21T18:12:04Z")
You shouldn’t have a problem in Nevada or Arizona, where it is legal to carry unconcealed weapons. Keeps people from trying to cut into line, also. * * * Fagjunk Theology: Not just for sodomite propagandists anymore. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2003, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrying-a-gun-into-a-bank/176604/3 "2003-05-21T18:25:45Z")
When I was in Arizona many years ago, I noticed a guy with an empty holster sitting at the bar. Being gregarious, I asked him what was up w/that. Apparently, you have to check your guns at the door in places where alcohol is served. Seems that banks might have a similar situation… that’s just my WAG, though, which is about as useful as an empty holster. ---
**Author:** ![db4530](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3ec8ea/32.png) [@db4530](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/db4530)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2003, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrying-a-gun-into-a-bank/176604/4 "2003-05-21T18:26:07Z")
Not really a second amendment issue at all. This use of a gun would be subject to state and local restrictions. The Feds only get jurisdiction if you have the intent to rob the bank. ---
**Author:** ![Berkut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e57/32.png) [@Berkut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Berkut)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2003, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrying-a-gun-into-a-bank/176604/5 "2003-05-21T18:41:13Z")
Legal here in TN, unless the bank itself has a posted notice that you can’t. ---
**Author:** ![Blown\_Injected](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@Blown\_Injected](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blown_Injected)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2003, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrying-a-gun-into-a-bank/176604/6 "2003-05-21T18:41:45Z")
I have noticed several restrictions such as banks, post office’s, and others for permit holders. Just be sure to remove your ski mask first 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Kalashnikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/2bfe46/32.png) [@Kalashnikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalashnikov)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2003, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrying-a-gun-into-a-bank/176604/7 "2003-05-21T19:41:52Z")
No problem here. Courtrooms and of course federal property are the only restricted places in NH. ---
**Author:** ![nebco9](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@nebco9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nebco9)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2003, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrying-a-gun-into-a-bank/176604/8 "2003-05-21T22:11:03Z")
In Los Angeles, your location, don’t try it. I don’t know the \*\* exact\*\* laws, but IIRC even a security guard to carry an UNCONCEALED gun must have a permit and only carry it at his duty location. In a car, a loaded gun must be IN PLAIN SIGHT, OUT OF THE DRIVER’S REACH. If the gun is with-in the driver’s reach or you are carrying it in open sight, for example walking down the street, you must carry it to show it is unloaded. For example, revolver: cylinder empty and swung to show it or semi-auto: clip removed and slide retracted to show chamber is empty. This is the only way I know of to keep a cop from showing up and putting HIS gun into your ear. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Slant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@Mr.Slant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Slant)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2003, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrying-a-gun-into-a-bank/176604/9 "2003-05-21T22:30:50Z")
Based on a discussion I read in [www.bankersonline.com](http://www.bankersonline.com) one time, there are in fact a few banks in Texas where they offer lockers in the bank entryway for you to store your gun in… lovely state, Texas. ---
**Author:** ![Susanann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ab992/32.png) [@Susanann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Susanann)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2003, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrying-a-gun-into-a-bank/176604/10 "2003-05-22T01:03:53Z")
In most states, it is legal to carry a gun into a bank or dredit union, unless the bank has a sign stating “no ccw”. Carrying a gun unconcealed is more of a problem, in most states, if not illegal, then they would get you for disturbing the peace. The last time I was in a bank in Arizona, you had to check your gun at the door. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d26b3c/32.png) [@UncleBill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBill)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2003, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrying-a-gun-into-a-bank/176604/11 "2003-05-22T01:33:08Z")
I read that “no cow”. Had me curious about you Westerners. While in Dallas a few weeks back I noticed the “No Guns” signs in restaurants, so I would presume any private institution (like a bank) may be able to restrict what people can carry, aside from local laws. Comments? ---
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2003, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrying-a-gun-into-a-bank/176604/12 "2003-05-22T03:25:46Z")
This is true in most states UncleBill, where private property owners can prohibit weapons at their own discretion as long as they have that fact posted. This is the case in Arizona and applies to open or concealed carry with a permit. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2003, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrying-a-gun-into-a-bank/176604/13 "2003-05-22T03:33:56Z")
Didn’t see Bowling for Columbine? Folks were giving away guns _at_ the bank. ---
**Author:** ![TheFunkySpaceCowboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a9a28c/32.png) [@TheFunkySpaceCowboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheFunkySpaceCowboy)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2003, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrying-a-gun-into-a-bank/176604/14 "2003-05-22T04:12:55Z")
In Alaska it’s also legal to carry unconcealed weapons anywhere they’re not speficially prohibited by signage. When coming back into Anchorage after being out on some backwoods hike or camping trip I would commonly forget I was wearing my .44 (or more to the point forget that there was anything special about it as compared to anything else I was wearing) and would walk into whatever gas station, convienence store or restaurant we stopped at on the way home, with this bigass revolver on my hip. Always got strange looks when that happened. I Never felt the need to do any banking on the way home from a trip to the woods so I can’t comment on teller behavior towards armed customers 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Daylon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/45deac/32.png) [@Daylon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daylon)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2003, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrying-a-gun-into-a-bank/176604/15 "2003-05-22T10:25:04Z")
I would think that the whole purpose of concealed handguns is that they are CONCEALED… After all, if you foil a bank robbery or save someones life by illegally using your concealed handgun, are they really going to nitpick? Just leave it concealed and go about your business… D. ---
**Author:** ![Susanann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ab992/32.png) [@Susanann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Susanann)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2003, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrying-a-gun-into-a-bank/176604/16 "2003-05-22T12:16:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Daylon \* > \*\* After all, if you foil a bank robbery or save someones life by illegally using your concealed handgun, are they really going to nitpick? > > D. \*\* Yes, sometimes they do. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2003, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrying-a-gun-into-a-bank/176604/17 "2003-05-22T13:44:03Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Daylon \* > After all, if you foil a bank robbery or save someones life by illegally using your concealed handgun, are they really going to nitpick?_\* If you used your weapon in an illegal manner you would most likely go to jail (ex: shooting at the suspects as they fled the scene and were no longer a threat). If you _legally_ used the weapon but in doing so you revealed that you were in violation of a carry law I doubt anyones going to work real hard at citing you for it. ---
**Author:** ![JXJohns](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jxjohns/32/469_2.png) [@JXJohns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JXJohns)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2003, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrying-a-gun-into-a-bank/176604/18 "2003-05-22T15:16:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by MeanOldLady \* > \*\*Didn’t see Bowling for Columbine? Folks were giving away guns _at_ the bank. \*\* Those were rifles given to people who made large deposits. Rather than earn interest on their money, they receive, if they so choose, a very nice hunting rifle. I cannot cite specifics, but I would gues that most bank robberies are not pulled off with someone brandishing a highpowered, bolt action rifle. \*\*\ ***Few** if any are committed with so called “assault weapons” either, but that coment is for another thread… ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Slant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@Mr.Slant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Slant)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2003, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrying-a-gun-into-a-bank/176604/19 "2003-05-22T17:03:45Z")
The bank would be annoyed at you for foiling the robbery via gunplay in their bank, UNLESS people were getting shot by the robbers. I can guarantee you of this, because bankers are trained to cooperate and get the robbers in and out as fast as possible… no funny business. Retaining the money is NOT a concern of any human actually working in a bank branch. I can tell you I’d rather be present at a quick, normal robbery with no real violence than at a gunfight. ---
**Author:** ![gonzoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a6a055/32.png) [@gonzoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzoron)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2003, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrying-a-gun-into-a-bank/176604/20 "2003-05-22T18:10:29Z")
This recent article may be relevant: [http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=583&ncid=583&e=13&u=/nm/20030521/od\_nm/gun\_dc](http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=583&ncid=583&e=13&u=/nm/20030521/od_nm/gun_dc) (A bank robber who happened to have a gun on him but didn’t use it in the robbery had his armed robbery conviction thrown out in favor of a lesser charge of unarmed robbery.)