Weapons control systems are designed to detect and deny entry to unauthorized people carrying weapons into secure areas.

From NovaComm, one of the leading manufactures of these systems:

The access control system consists of a bullet resistant aluminum frame enclosed by bullet resistant glass, and a bullet resistive ceiling. The frame is divided into two separate compartments: one for entry and one for exit. Passage through each compartment is controlled by a set of two intercommunicating doors. Entry doors and exit doors are totally separate systems. Control of the doors is achieved through the use of exit devices, magnetic locks, infrared sensors, and a metal detector.

NovaComm’s Access Control Vestibule can distinguish between magnetic, non-magnetic and mixed alloys weapons.

More info on their website – HERE

One of my blog followers, Israel, sent me the following pictures from his local bank (University Credit Union) in Miami, FL:

And a closeup of the sign:

Israel, who is a concealed weapons permit (CWP) holder is not impressed with this recent “upgrade”, and decided to write the bank president a letter (viewable here).

My guess is that systems like these are a fairly good deterrent to crime.  But at what cost?

The reality is that just because “metal” guns and weapons are not allowed in the bank, doesn’t mean there are not countless other ways for a criminal to wreak havoc inside of a bank. Composite knives, bats, knunchucks, chemical weapons, leather whips, a pool ball in a sock … the Glock 7 (I kid about that one)

I know the bank is considered private property, and we all have the choice whether or not we want to deal with places like this. The easiest thing to do I suppose is just switch banks if you don’t like their policies.  It’s too bad it has to come to that sometime in order to stay safe.

Thanks Israel!

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