Writing a letter to my bank, need arguments

[CHLSteve]

Give them a chance to correct their mistake, and take the sign down. If they refuse, then it's time to move on.

I don't understand you "hardliners" that say just leave... isn't the point to educate those around us on the benefits of CHL, the upstanding nature of CHL holders, and pointlessness of posting 30.06 signs?

[mr.72]

The point of us "hardliners" is that there are already other businesses that do not trample our rights, so why not reward them with our business?

[Liberty]

The point of us "hardliners" is that there are already other businesses that do not trample our rights, so why not reward them with our business?

This hardliner wants most of all to see the signs go down. Once you have closed your accounts you have lost ammunition.

[Oldgringo]

I found this posted from another forum (I think) and it perfectly addresses your concerns. It's even for a credit union! I cannot remember the individuals name, so I can't give credit where credit is due, but he did say to copy and use as needed. Seems this is as good a time as any. Here goes...

Jane,

Friday when we came by the credit union I noticed a new sign by the door on my way in. It was a laminated sign with the language from Texas Penal Code 30.06 on it. This is the section that deals with trespass by holder of license to carry concealed handgun.

I have a few questions. Why was the sign posted, and is it the intentions of the credit union to prohibit CHL holders from entering the premises? Do you feel that members or your staff are any safer by prohibiting members who have their CHL from entering when carrying concealed.

My reason for asking this question is pretty simple. Code section 30.06, is only enforceable against a person that has a Texas CHL. Those persons have spent somewhere near 300 dollars, to take the required 10 hour course on Texas Law and handgun proficiency, have submitted photo’s, finger prints, and passed both a state and federal background check, in order to legally carry a concealed handgun. The persons who have their CHL have not been convicted of a felony, have not been convicted of a class A or B misdemeanor in the past 5 year under penal code 42.01, is not delinquent on child support, does not have a history of mental illness, are not delinquent on any state debts or taxes, or student loans, are not under any protective or restraining order or had a past history of family violence, and doesn’t have a history of alcohol or drug related charges in the past 10 years, along with some other criteria. This can all be found under General Code 411.172. I would guess that most of the members and even the employees of the credit union have not undergone this extensive of a background check.

Based on the information from the Texas DPS website, CHL holders were 4 to 9 times less likely to be convicted of a crime in our state from the years 2002 to 2006 than the population as a whole.

The signage posted does not keep someone who is carrying a concealed handgun illegally from entering your credit union, because they are not licensed holders of permits. Those people are already breaking the law. That sign will also not stop someone who is intent on coming into the credit union to do harm either. They are after all going to be engaged in criminal activity, and criminals by their nature do not obey the law.

Again I ask what is the purpose for posting the signage? Has someone who is a permit holder come into the credit union and displayed their firearm or made it visible to your employees? If they have, they have broken the law and that person needs to be dealt with. Texas law already covers that. I can assure you that since Texas has allowed persons to legally carry concealed handguns in 1995, members have entered the credit union and done business without alarm to the staff or other members, since it was not known to them.

Since I don’t foresee the credit union installing metal detectors which prohibit entry into the institution of people carrying firearms, or armed security guards in the near future, what is my assurance that someone won’t walk through your doors armed and ready to kill members or staff in order to get what they want? I take seriously the protection of myself and my family; therefore I have taken the appropriate steps to comply with Texas law on this issue and will continue to do so. If the intention of the credit union is to prohibit CHL holders from entering the building while carrying their firearm, then I will be forced to make the decision to continue to do business with this credit union or find another institution that does not take this stance on persons licensed to carry handguns in Texas. As far as I know your credit union is the only institution in our community with this policy.

I look forward to hearing from you on this issue, and also the removal of the signage posted by the entrance, as I cannot think of any reason why persons abiding by Texas law would be asked not to enter this institution. I ask that the personal information in this letter not be shared with anyone who is not directly responsible for the posting of the signage by the credit union due to the nature of the topic.

Thank you,

XXXX

That's a good letter. Is there any way to keep the salient points while condensing the epistle? As someone else pointed out, the adult attention span is not very long and the minion who this is given to by the CEO isn't going to rock his little boat. Also, I'd give them a date by which a response might be expected.

Give it a try, if you change their mind that will be a good thing. If not, boogie.

[CHLSteve]

The point of us "hardliners" is that there are already other businesses that do not trample our rights, so why not reward them with our business?

He is ALREADY doing business with this company, that's why. Not everyone is as well-informed as you guys, and realizes the benefits of CHL, and what good, upstanding citizens you are.

Liberty, I think you have it right. Better to use this situation to get a sign removed, rather than just take your toys and go home.

[asleepatthereel]

If it were me, I'd just leave the bank and send them a letter letting them know why they lost my business -- forever.

I have a zero-tolerance policy with banks.

And would add to that any other buisness that posts. I refuse to do business with with people or corporations that refuse to see the light. My bank isnt posted. That said, I dont know where they stand on the issue, but they dont even have the gunbuster signs. I did notice that the armed security officer was asleep in his chair on one of my visits there, so maybe they are counting on having one or two legally armed customers in there should they ever get robbed.

[mr.72]

maybe they are counting on having one or two legally armed customers in there should they ever get robbed.

No, they are counting on complying with robbers, giving away your money, and making an insurance claim should they ever get robbed. The last thing they want is anyone, including their own guards, to be shooting at anyone in their building, because the liability for lawsuits for injured or killed patrons is far greater than their liability for however much cash the teller can hand over to a bank robber.

And even though I usually agree with you, Liberty, in this case, I do not. The bank is going to do what is in their best financial interest. They will count the cost of putting up the signs. They are not ill-informed about the law or the statistics. This is not a mom-n-pop business who is clueless. They are armed with the statistics and have chosen to roll the dice that losing a couple of customers because of their anti-gun policy is going to cost less in the end than any potential lawsuit or other liability should anyone get shot on their premises. So the only way we can impact their business practices is by denying them our business, and then we will see if there is enough loss of business from their gun policy to make them change their ways, or to make them go out of business.

As a customer, the ONLY leverage you have is to take your business somewhere else. You are deluding yourself if you think that by staying on with a bank you are going to influence the way they do business. Now if the government would stop bailing out banks that are failing for one reason or another then this whole idea of rewarding businesses with good practices and punishing those with bad practices might actually work.

[Liberty]

And even though I usually agree with you, Liberty, in this case, I do not. The bank is going to do what is in their best financial interest. They will count the cost of putting up the signs. They are not ill-informed about the law or the statistics. This is not a mom-n-pop business who is clueless. They are armed with the statistics and have chosen to roll the dice that losing a couple of customers because of their anti-gun policy is going to cost less in the end than any potential lawsuit or other liability should anyone get shot on their premises. So the only way we can impact their business practices is by denying them our business, and then we will see if there is enough loss of business from their gun policy to make them change their ways, or to make them go out of business.

As a customer, the ONLY leverage you have is to take your business somewhere else. You are deluding yourself if you think that by staying on with a bank you are going to influence the way they do business. Now if the government would stop bailing out banks that are failing for one reason or another then this whole idea of rewarding businesses with good practices and punishing those with bad practices might actually work.

It is a Credit Union not a huge conglomerate with a marketing and legal department the size of Cyfair. As I understand it a Credit Unions shareholders are its depositors. Most real banks don't have 30.06 signs and from what I can tell from reports on this forum it seems like it is the credit unions not the real banks that have gone squirrelly lately. Because the trustees are are likely to be all local they may open to reason. All I know it doesn't hurt to try.

It kinda bums me out because I have reason to separate some funds from the mega bank I normally do business with. The credit unions are paying better interest on short term CDs or passbook savings. It seems as though the 2 larger credit unions here both have 30.06 signs, CHLers and their guns seem pretty welcome at my mega bank.