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Are there any other folks that get nervous when they carry in particular locations?

With me, it is banks. I am always worried that someone is going to "make" me and scream "Bank Robber"!

If I carried at work (which bans CCW) I'd be nervous if I carried there. Which I'm not saying I do, because that'd be a violation of policy and I could be terminated for it.

Purplehood wrote:Are there any other folks that get nervous when they carry in particular locations?

With me, it is banks. I am always worried that someone is going to "make" me and scream "Bank Robber"!

I don't worry about being "made" in banks. If your concealment method works in WalMart, it'll work in the bank too.

However, I am uncomfortable in banks because there are no good options if the branch is targeted for a violent "takeover style" robbery while I am inside.

If you go to the floor as commanded, your weapon may be exposed. If it isn't exposed immediately, you may be searched. In either case, if your gun is seen or found, your survival chances dim considerably. OTOH, attempting to engage 4 long gun armed highly agitated bank robbers in the limited confines of the customer area of a bank isn't a prescription for a long and peaceful life either. Then again, if you don't carry at all, you may simply be shot because one of the bandits wants everyone to know they're really serious. Like I said - there are no good options.

I spend as little time as possible in banks. I identify exits and cover when I go in and keep an eye on the door as much as possible while I'm inside.

I can think of a lot of locations that would make me nervous not carrying, but not vice versa.

Purplehood wrote:Are there any other folks that get nervous when they carry in particular locations?

Nope, not me. The only time I don't carry is when I'm at the gym, since there's no place to hide it, and I don't go into banks unless there isn't an ATM outside or a drive up ATM.

I've been carrying to work (not a problem in terms of being terminated) and it's been getting easier and easier. I've actually carried EVERYWHERE I could in public since I got my plastic. I've had 1 trip I didn't carry, and that was to a 51% place last Sunday to watch a football game. In general, it's just getting more and more comfortable.

Purplehood wrote:I am always worried that someone is going to "make" me and scream "Bank Robber"!

The key to successfully accomplishing anything is having complete confidence in yourself. That is how con[fidence] artists and successful politicians do it. It is something of a cliché, but it's true.

As a practical matter, real bank robbers nearly always get as far as making their demand without being detected, and 90% get clean away (http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/files/ric/Pub ... 071267.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;).

Banks have lousy security. They consider being robbed a cost of doing business. They would rather give away a grand than have messy photos of shot bank robbers or (God forbid) innocent people in the media.

Most banks do not have armed guards. Of those that do, the guards are frequently complacent and more interested in flirting than stopping crime.

- Jim

seamusTX wrote:

Purplehood wrote:I am always worried that someone is going to "make" me and scream "Bank Robber"!

The key to successfully accomplishing anything is having complete confidence in yourself. That is how con[fidence] artists and successful politicians do it. It is something of a cliché, but it's true.

As a practical matter, real bank robbers nearly always get as far as making their demand without being detected, and 90% get clean away (http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/files/ric/Pub ... 071267.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;).

Banks have lousy security. They consider being robbed a cost of doing business. They would rather give away a grand than have messy photos of shot bank robbers or (God forbid) innocent people in the media.

Most banks do not have armed guards. Of those that do, the guards are frequently complacent and more interested in flirting than stopping crime.

- Jim

Yes, most bank robberies are accomplished by a single individual either passing a note or having a quiet conversation with a single teller. These are not generally a safety threat to other people in the bank unless something goes awry and they really are armed. Many aren't.

Takeover robbery teams are another matter. They, too, are "real bank robbers" and are a deadly threat to everyone present, and they are known for shooting tellers or customers for no apparent reason. Just because they are involved in a small percentage of incidents doesn't mean they should be ignored. You will never be 2% involved in a robbery. It's either 100% or zero for any given person and incident.

I haven't been inside a bank for years. There is practically no need to do so. I use an ATM or drive-through. I even got two loans without ever setting foot in the institution that issued them.

ATMs are not risk-free, of course. Life isn't risk-free, as you frequently point out.

- Jim

Nope... and most everything is about risk management. Some call it paranoia, others call it realism.... I don't believe that there are people out to get ME. That would be paranoid. I believe there are people out to get SOMEONE, and I might intersect with them at the wrong time and space. I try to be prepared and avoid it or be able to handle it. That's risk management, IMO.

it's like that old story about the guy who had a hand gun on him and was asked "are you expecting trouble?" To which he replied, "No, if I was expecting trouble, I'd have brought my rifle."

seamusTX wrote:I haven't been inside a bank for years. There is practically no need to do so. I use an ATM or drive-through. I even got two loans without ever setting foot in the institution that issued them.

ATMs are not risk-free, of course. Life isn't risk-free, as you frequently point out.

- Jim

Drive through windows during open bank hours are probably the safest bet when you have to conduct business that doesn't require a sit-down with a bank officer or account manager.

Excaliber wrote:... business that doesn't require a sit-down with a bank officer or account manager.

Very little does these days. Almost everything that used to require a face-to-face meeting, you can do electronically.

(I'm not fearful of banks, BTW. I just avoid making appointments and driving whenever possible, especially with the gas prices that we had until October.)

- Jim

Most of my banking is done electronically or at the drive-thru...So I do not worry about it...

My Credit Union (JSC) near Ellington Field is posted correctly, so I just don't think I'll go inside anytime soon to see the new "look"...Washington Mutual (now Chase) branch is not posted, so I just don't think about it when I go in to bank there...But things may change there because of the buyout by Chase...

But I'll say one thing about this whole issue...If your in a bank and someone(s) come in armed to rob it...I would rather be a good witness than try to intervene just because I am carrying...You have already lost the element of surprise or any tactical advantage, and any movement on your part will be observed and that will be that...If shooting starts then you may be able to do something, but remember, there will be people running around (as well) and clear targets (BG's) may be difficult to aquire...

Real life is not like the movies...

Morgan wrote:Nope... and most everything is about risk management. Some call it paranoia, others call it realism.... I don't believe that there are people out to get ME. That would be paranoid. I believe there are people out to get SOMEONE, and I might intersect with them at the wrong time and space. I try to be prepared and avoid it or be able to handle it. That's risk management, IMO.

it's like that old story about the guy who had a hand gun on him and was asked "are you expecting trouble?" To which he replied, "No, if I was expecting trouble, I'd have brought my rifle."

Well said.