Well Fargo visit 4/23
As promised, I went to the Fayetteville's Raeford Rd Wells Fargo branch yesterday and spoke with the manager.
Her name is Elizabeth Solomon; business-like, good humored, and supportive of those who carry. I introduced myself (also pointing out that I was armed; she had no problem with that) and told her I was there in response to a posting on OCDO (89foxbody, above). She gave her reason for approaching the OP and asking him to leave.
There did seem to be a small amount of confusion as to allowable mode of carry in financial institutions. I tried to correct that (my review of my recording shows I probably sounded more forceful than I intended), but Ms. Solomon refused to get into an argument and referred me to Mr. Decotis (WF security manager in NC).
The info about mode of carry that branch managers comes from the security office. When first contacted, Mr. Decotis claimed that WF is a private corporation and therefore not covered by the "financial institution" definition for gun carry. I called BS on this and explained to them that they are a publicly traded company and, by definition, are a financial institution. I agreed that they do have the right to restrict carry on their property. During my conversation with him, I finally pinned down the Wells Fargo policy as applied here.
It is simply to abide by state law, while reserving the rights of the business owner to take action on individual cases. In this regard, a branch manager is considered the store owner. It's worthwhile to note that NC is one of the fortunate few states in which WF is not posted against firearms.
I believe that when we OC, it's fine to be obvious but we should avoid the "in-your-face" demeanor. When a business has more than the infrequent incident of disruptive behavior, that business will stop allowing whatever conduct causes the disruptions.
Final words: Continue carrying in Wells Fargo. Don't be overly concerned with attire (I could probably carry a pair of scoped S&W .500s on my belt and no one would see them below the overhang of my "maternity" shirts.:lol:
Do consider the impact your conduct has on the rest of us.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
update 4/25
edited to remove WF statements ref the OP. Also to explain the basis for misunderstood OC/CC laws.
I talked to 89foxbody this morning about this. The two sides don't jibe. I'm going to leave it with my "final words" as above.
Contact for WF security manager Darryll Decotis:
darryll.q.decotis@wellsfargo.com; (919) 852-8055
