Eddie Fulmer
Regular Member
Well here's the message I sent and the reply I recieved. I have a hard time with the insurance rates thing. I don't know how to check that out.
Sent via e-mail on their web page to Customer Service on: 9/14/12
I was in the branch on Rose Boulevard in Northport, on Thursday, August 13th around 4pm. I was there closing an account I was a joint owner on and asking about keeping it open with only my name on it. I was legally carrying a pistol on my side as I have been for over 2 years everywhere I go. I have been doing business with this branch over 2 years also and have been in numerous times while armed. I’ve never had a second glance that I know of. I had been at the teller window for maybe 5-6 minutes. There was some delay as they were unable to locate my paper work on the account. I’ve had nothing but positive comments everywhere I go, until today. I was quite surprised when I was approached by one of your employees and asked to leave. She was polite and courteous. I do respect your rights to exclude weapons from your business. However, I also take offense to someone restricting my right to self defense. Especially since it’s perfectly legal and I go everywhere else with out a problem. I’m part of the growing movement to exercise the rights we have before they are gone completely. I asked the young lady if she had a policy on weapons and she replied that she thought it may be only a verbal one. That’s not good enough for me. I want to know if this is a policy or it’s just someone who has a problem with a law abiding citizen exercising their rights? I might also add that I frequent another Credit Union several times a week in Tuscaloosa with no problems as do some of my friends. If you plan on going this route please let me know and post a sign for others. I looked when I entered and I saw none. You have nothing to fear from a person who openly wears a weapon. Crooks conceal theirs or they’ll have it in their hand pointing it. I’ll be sharing your response with the others in our group. I’d welcome a sit down with your branch manager. Eddie Fulmer, Alabama Gun Rights. 205-242-0950
Received Alabama Credit Union reply on: 9/24/2012
Dear Mr. Fulmer,
Thanks for contacting us with your concerns. I too am a strong believer in the right to bear arms. However, we believe that our employees, members and visitors are at higher risk of violence when firearms are located on our premises. In fact, our national insurance company strongly advises against the presence of firearms on our premises. Providing a safe environment is very important to us. For that reason, we ask visitors to refrain from visiting us with firearms; if they arrive with a firearm, it should, at least, be left concealed in their vehicles.
This policy, of course, does not apply to police officers who are required to carry weapons when on duty.
Thank you for your comments. We understand your position and certainly appreciate your point of view. I hope that you can understand that our decision is based on insurance ratings, which are based on risk.
Steve Swofford, President
SSwofford@alabamacu.com
Reply:9/24/2012
Mr Swofford,
If this is your policy, then you should make it known by posting a sign on the door and letting your "owners" know they can't carry on their own property. Until I closed my account I owned part of the Credit Union, as per Alabama law, and as such it was my property I was on. I have shared my letter to you with others in our group and they are waiting to hear the response I receive. I'm just wanting to make sure this is the response you want shared. Several of them are members of Alabama Credit Union and are currently exercising their legal right to carry, just like I was, in other branches. These members are very concerned when their right of self defense is taken away because of where they bank. You stated " we believe that our employees, members and visitors are at higher risk of violence when firearms are located on our premises." Statistics prove exactly the opposite Mr. Swofford. I invite you to check them out for yourself. The mere presence of a firearm deters violence, especially if the bad guy can see it. I'll await sharing with our group, well over 2,000 members at this writing, until I hear from you.
Respectfully,
Eddie Fulmer
Sent via e-mail on their web page to Customer Service on: 9/14/12
I was in the branch on Rose Boulevard in Northport, on Thursday, August 13th around 4pm. I was there closing an account I was a joint owner on and asking about keeping it open with only my name on it. I was legally carrying a pistol on my side as I have been for over 2 years everywhere I go. I have been doing business with this branch over 2 years also and have been in numerous times while armed. I’ve never had a second glance that I know of. I had been at the teller window for maybe 5-6 minutes. There was some delay as they were unable to locate my paper work on the account. I’ve had nothing but positive comments everywhere I go, until today. I was quite surprised when I was approached by one of your employees and asked to leave. She was polite and courteous. I do respect your rights to exclude weapons from your business. However, I also take offense to someone restricting my right to self defense. Especially since it’s perfectly legal and I go everywhere else with out a problem. I’m part of the growing movement to exercise the rights we have before they are gone completely. I asked the young lady if she had a policy on weapons and she replied that she thought it may be only a verbal one. That’s not good enough for me. I want to know if this is a policy or it’s just someone who has a problem with a law abiding citizen exercising their rights? I might also add that I frequent another Credit Union several times a week in Tuscaloosa with no problems as do some of my friends. If you plan on going this route please let me know and post a sign for others. I looked when I entered and I saw none. You have nothing to fear from a person who openly wears a weapon. Crooks conceal theirs or they’ll have it in their hand pointing it. I’ll be sharing your response with the others in our group. I’d welcome a sit down with your branch manager. Eddie Fulmer, Alabama Gun Rights. 205-242-0950
Received Alabama Credit Union reply on: 9/24/2012
Dear Mr. Fulmer,
Thanks for contacting us with your concerns. I too am a strong believer in the right to bear arms. However, we believe that our employees, members and visitors are at higher risk of violence when firearms are located on our premises. In fact, our national insurance company strongly advises against the presence of firearms on our premises. Providing a safe environment is very important to us. For that reason, we ask visitors to refrain from visiting us with firearms; if they arrive with a firearm, it should, at least, be left concealed in their vehicles.
This policy, of course, does not apply to police officers who are required to carry weapons when on duty.
Thank you for your comments. We understand your position and certainly appreciate your point of view. I hope that you can understand that our decision is based on insurance ratings, which are based on risk.
Steve Swofford, President
SSwofford@alabamacu.com
Reply:9/24/2012
Mr Swofford,
If this is your policy, then you should make it known by posting a sign on the door and letting your "owners" know they can't carry on their own property. Until I closed my account I owned part of the Credit Union, as per Alabama law, and as such it was my property I was on. I have shared my letter to you with others in our group and they are waiting to hear the response I receive. I'm just wanting to make sure this is the response you want shared. Several of them are members of Alabama Credit Union and are currently exercising their legal right to carry, just like I was, in other branches. These members are very concerned when their right of self defense is taken away because of where they bank. You stated " we believe that our employees, members and visitors are at higher risk of violence when firearms are located on our premises." Statistics prove exactly the opposite Mr. Swofford. I invite you to check them out for yourself. The mere presence of a firearm deters violence, especially if the bad guy can see it. I'll await sharing with our group, well over 2,000 members at this writing, until I hear from you.
Respectfully,
Eddie Fulmer