This evening (7/11/03) my wife and I went to the main branch of our local bank, The First Bank of Owasso (Owasso, Oklahoma), to do some banking. We normally just use the drive through service, but this time we went in the building because we going to make a large transaction with our business checking account. As we reached the front doors, we noticed the large "NO" sign, followed by the words, "PETS", "SMOKING", "CONCEALED WEAPONS". We both were taken aback. When we first opened an account with this bank a few years ago, we made sure that they had no such policy. My wife and I disarmed and turned ourselves into sitting ducks. We entered the bank and immediately asked to speak to the "person in charge". This request took a few moments because they were not exactly sure who was in charge (given that it was a Friday evening)

Before long, “Brant”, a company VP who looked to be in his 30’s, warmly greeted us. We proceeded to his office. Once there, he enquired about the reason we asked had for him. I responded that my wife and I were surprised and shocked by the no concealed weapons sign posted on the front door. He had no real reaction, and was very stoic about the matter. He matter-of-factly stated that the signs would stay up and that there was no point discussing the matter. I then informed him that if the signs stayed up that we would have to close our business account. He responded with a very blunt "OK". I then responded- "OK" and told him that we would like to have the bank's armed guard escort us and our money out of the bank and  to our car.

Brant was not quite prepared for that request and he acted a bit surprised. After a pause, he stated something like "we don't have one of those". I then stated something like, "you disarm us and made us sitting ducks in here but you don’t have a guard?!" Again he paused, then he wryly said, "Would you like a police escort?”. I paused and said- “yes, yes we would like a police escort”. Given our disarmed state, the amount of cash, and the fact the bank is in an area that is taking a turn for the worst, it certainly made sense.

Of course that fact that I agreed to his suggestion, that police be called for an escort, somewhat shocked and surprised him. He paused, thought about it and the wryly handed me the phone and said, "here you go". I responded, "no, it was your idea, you make the call" As he started to dial, I suggest to him that he call the non emergency number, he agreed.

As we waited for the police, I discussed the situation with him a bit more.  I suggest that if they would take down the "NO CONCEALED WEAPONS" sign and would replace it with a "NO CRIME ALLOWED SIGN" we would be okay with that. We talked a bit more and he said he thought all banks had that policy. I informed him that most don't and the ones that do usually change their minds quickly. He suggested we call another local bank and see what their policy was. He called the local "RCB" bank. After some waiting, they told him they also had a no concealed weapons policy. I told him thanks, that’s one less place we have to stop at. I also pointed out to him that his bank’s weapons policy was purely a political statement and had nothing to do with crime prevention but rather would attract the criminal element. I think he got the point.

After only a few minutes wait, a nice local police officer showed up. We recognized the cop, I think he was the one who finger printed my wife and I for Florida permits a few months back. It was sort of funny how the bank VP explained the situation to the cop, but completely avoided mentioning the concealed weapons sign or that we had to be disarmed. I of course made sure that the nice officer was aware that the only reason he was here was because the bank made us disarm before we could enter the building.



Unfortunately, we still had to wait about another 5-10 minutes as they closed out our account and handed us the money. It was interesting that during the entire event no one ever asked us for any ID what so ever, it would have been a hell of a con job if we had not really had an account there. During the wait, I did ask the VP who could change the policy and he said only the board of directors. He was kind enough to give us the contact info (see below). Eventually we got our money, and the nice cop walked us to the car. So now we are searching for another local bank. The "Bank of Oklahoma" is out of the question because they directly supported the Million Mom March in Tulsa, see the proof here members.cox.net/gotliberty/CFSOBoycott.html.
Obviously, I'm not going back to the First bank of Owasso unless they change their stance. The RCB bank seems to be out. I guess it will have to be the Bank of America.



If you bank at the First Bank of Owasso, I suggest you stop doing business there. If you wish to contact the bank before you withdraw your funds or wish to let them know why you withdrew your funds, you can contact them at

Dominic Sokolosky
President and C.E.O.
P.O. Box 1800
Owasso, OK 74055

Office (918) 272-8226
Email: [email protected]


In closing let me make one thing perfectly clear, the VP we talked with "Brant" was friendly, upfront, matter of fact, and a good representative of the Bank.

I will carry anywhere my permit allows - whether or not there is a posted sign.

Credit Union, you are than one of the owners of the institution.  To remove you and your account against your will, you have to be voted out.  You can't be charged with trespassing for being there as you are one of the institution's owners.  At least that's my credit union.

Now that sounds like an interesting solution.
It maybe time for a credit union based on CCW affiliation.

Good job!

Quoted: I don't know, but while I am CCW I don't tell anybody. I walk in the bank anyway, what are they going to do...kick you out? F'em. I imagine most banks do have a ccw policy, but I am protecting me and my family not them!

Do you think this type of "civil disobedience" could be part of the problem?

Instead of fighting bad laws and or rules here in America we just figure out way's around them.

That's why we have so many bad law's on the books as it is.

I imagine that if enough people banded together and expressed their displeasure and took their business elsewhere the bank would have to ammend it's policy.

First of all Good job to you for putting up a civil fight.

Secondly, i don't know much about Concealed Weapon Permits, but i know that LAW surpasses a company's POLICY...
So i don't think anything could have happend if they did discover that you're armed, besides kicking you out. Then again, who'd have the guts to kick out a pissed off, armed customer?


However i completely agree with you: It has absolutley NOTHING to do with safety, but merely a political statement...It's these subtle subliminal messages that have infected the minds of people worldwide with the illusion that guns are inherently evil.

Quoted: It maybe time for a credit union based on CCW affiliation.

That is one hell of an idea. I wonder if it would work?
Would a pro-gun credit union be possible, if yes would it be probable???

Ive been the member of the same C.U. since I was 5 years old. I highly recommend one in your area

This is why I belong to an internet-only bank, State Farm Insurance Bank.  No branches, I send in the few non-electronic payments through the mail, and 99% of everything else is all electronic :)

I checked out several banks in my area and couldn't find a single one with a no CCW sign. I guess that North Florida is not the kind of place that you want to put that sort of crap up. There are a lot of pro-gun Republicans around here and they don't up with that bull.