I have never really thought about this. I very, very rarely use an ATM machine, and when I do, I am always using it from my truck with my head on a swivel. I bet in many places folks are using them at night, on foot, and while intoxicated. That is a recipe for disaster!

Thank goodness this concealed carry hero was driving by at the right time.
Larry

__________________
Miss Buddies crsides & fat tom

Never had a reason to use an ATM machine.

__________________
James
On the Llano Estacado

I also only use a drive up ATM in a very visible location during the day.

Haven’t used one in about ten years and I don’t think I’ve used cash in maybe 7 ?
Now if I happened to find a Brinks bag that could change lol

Used an ATM just the other day.
But it was inside the BX out on Base so I didn’t get too tensed up.

__________________
NRA LIFE MEMBER

I use them regularly. Usually during daytime. Sometimes from the truck, but more commonly from an ATM outside the grocery store.

Certainly bad things can happen at an ATM. That’s why we keep our eyes open.

My wife and I have never used one. They are like a mouse trap for the bad guys.
Had a armed robbery of a woman in a parking deck at gun point and the perp left on foot with her purse, cash and ATM card. She said she gave him the wrong PIN number. I found the idiot less than two blocks away in an enclosed ATM booth wondering why it swallowed the bank card.
That was an easy one.

That gun owner would be deposited in Rikers Island forever if he did that in NYC.

I rarely use an ATM, but will occasionally at my bank. I pull up so close to the machine that there is no room for anyone to fit between it and my window. And I look all around while there with my tranny in D.

We use them during the winter in Florida. Not so much at home. Usually we find one inside the vestibule of the Bank that is accessible at all hours. My Wife goes in and I stand guard outside with my hand holding my pocket gun in my pants pocket. Any body that has ever come around, has stayed back until we get back in the car. I suppose they figured a lot of people carry in Florida and they don’t get to close.

__________________
Two Handguns every day

I've never even used an ATM. I have never established a pin code either. I do not have a Debit Card either as they are way too easily compromised. Yes, eventually you might get your money back, but it will probably take a while and in the mean time your checking account is wiped out. Whenever I go to my Bank, they ask me if I'd like a debit Card and I smile and say, NO thank you! Never had any need for one.

I use Credit Cards. If a credit card gets compromised, (has happened to me a number of times), I simply call the CC company, explain he issue and they immediately cancel that card and overnight me a new one. Any fraudulent charges are immediately reverse and all is good. To me that's the way to go!

I have never used a ATM and hope I never have to. I can get in enough trouble with my credit cards, pocket cash and a blank folded check deep in my wallet. My wife on the other hand goes so often that the machine starts playing her favorite song and the machine blinks welcome Mrs Lakesider as she pulls up.-

In the area I live in we have this one gas station way out in the boonies. The pumps are open 24 hours and many people get gas there after the store is closed. The place is well covered by cameras and the pump area is lit up like day light. That and just about all residents up here are armed. Anyone planing on doing a robbery would be well advised only to hit vechicles with out of state plates.

__________________
14 S&W Revs none with locks!

I've actually never had a problem at an ATM but enough of the experts recommend avoiding them that I just do. I'm also a follower of Dave Ramsey and he (along with several other financial advisers) recommends keeping cash on hand at all times so I really have no need of an ATM anyway.

__________________
Retired Career Security Guard

No doubt about it. Texas is to New York City as day is to night...

I use outdoor ATMs routinely. Driving up close to them is a good idea but there is one that I use, actually more than one, that I can't reach from my window. I literally get out of my car to use these and my head is on a swivel and my handgun is ready to show itself. What I do not do except on exceedingly rare occasions is use one at night.

I understand the concept of keeping cash on hand but when you play as much poker as I do it's not always easy to have all of the cash that you need.

I have always liked Colion Noir - that's a great video.

__________________
Come and take it!!

I agree. I get my walking around money from the ATM. Where do you get yours . . . ?

__________________
Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

The ATM at the gun show this weekend was across the aisle from my table...A few people got mad when it wouldn't give them enough money to spend on what they wanted, but I didn't witness any shootouts......Ben

__________________
Cogito, ergo BOOM!...

We go in to the bank and make withdrawals.

__________________
Retired Career Security Guard

There are only a very few occasions when I actually use cash. Most business (and the Government) no longer promote the use cash and on any given day, my purchases are usually with a credit card. I've even experienced a restaurant saying they no longer accept cash. Legal or not, that's what they are saying.

My feeling is that ATM machines will be culled down as the demand for them diminished. Yes, I still carry cash with me but rarely have to replenish it in my wallet.

Like Chief 38 I very rarely have need of cash. I just don't have that kind of life where I'm out spending money anymore.

I spent more money when I was working because I would stop in convenience stores along my route or there would be vending machines in the buildings I was checking.

Having said that, there is still alternatives to ATMs. I guess I'm lucky or maybe it's because I'm retired and I can go in the middle of the day but the few times that I've gone to my bank to get money there wasn't any line to speak of and I was in and out of the bank in 10 minutes.

We generally get our groceries delivered but since they always screw up the bananas I stop at Walmart at least once a week and buy some. When you go to check out they ask you if you want cash back, there's your alternative to an ATM.

I think the government is trying to push us into electronic currency. Maybe not our generation but I'd be willing to bet that our kids or grandkids will see the end of the paper US dollar. Unfortunately they'll also see the rise of the government being able to track EVERYTHING they buy.

__________________
Retired Career Security Guard

Ever since 2019, my bank’s lobby is appointment only. . .

__________________
Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

IMO, your bank's policy is absurd. I'd find a new bank if it was me.

We do use cash a lot. We get our cash directly from the bank. Sometimes using the driveup, sometimes going inside.

I almost exclusively use cash. Only use credit card for online purchases and gas purchases. A card swipe is a digital mark that you have been there. Nobody's business.

Stop by ATM within a few days of payday every 2 weeks and take cash out. I keep some on me and rest in safe at house until I need it. I do keep my head on a swivel at ATM. Usually only make daytime visits. Park vehicle as close to machine as possible to eliminate someone squeezing between me and machine. Keep vehicle in gear and foot on break in case I need to take off quickly and always have firearm handy. Also scan area for other vehicles or folks on foot. If someone is at ATM in front of me, I leave a few car lengths between myself and them to give them their space.

Rosewood

I think this also. Easier to control folks spending when you can lock up their bank account. Perfect example was in Canada with those that supported the truckers protest.

Rosewood

And I will be eating somewhere else.

OK.

You didn't ask me to problem solve for you, you asked me what I do for walking around money.

My bank isn’t by appointment only and as I mentioned earlier, being retired gives me the opportunity to go to the bank in the middle of the morning when it's not busy at all.

I can't speak for anybody else but going into the bank works for me and it's not any more inconvenient than going to the ATM.

You do you Boo

__________________
Retired Career Security Guard

Drive up ATMs are closer to me than an actual bank branch, so going inside is inconvenient vs using ATM.

Rosewood

We use the drive up teller at our bank for cash withdrawals. They use pneumatic tubes for delivery.

I ride shotgun.

__________________
Music/Sports/Beer fan

Duly noted . . .

__________________
Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

Never once used an ATM even though I have (had) a card since the 20th Century.
I get my cash from one of many very nice folks at the Credit Union a couple miles from the house. These days place is empty and they seem happy to see me, unlike most "enterprises." Used to get cash twice the month, now with a debit card last dip in the well was February. Even with prices Saturday at the gunshow had enough should I have been struck "needy." The ATM at Khaled's goat rope only gives $200 a pop. Need $1400? That'll be 7 transactions with associated fees. An "outside" ATM seems like the perfect target for the giant brain skells you read about the day after. Joe

__________________
Behavior Creates Destiny

Same here, and I still keep my head on a swivel.

__________________
Send lawyers, guns & money...

When I worked in DC, I got off work late, got off the metro in Arlington and got $300 in cash out of an ATM while hurrying to the AT&T store to get there before they closed at 9pm to swap out a phone.

I was tired and rushed and didn’t do my usual due diligence in looking for folks hanging out near the ATM (within a block or so). I walked fast for about a block and then turned the corner only to realize I’d turned a block too soon and turned around to go back to the cross walk. When I did so I came face to face with a 20 something Latino in a hoodie with one hand coming up toward my neck and the other hand coming out of a pocket with a knife.

I didn’t even think, but just drove my left hand into his chest to drive him back and put him off balance, to create time and space while I bladed my body and lifted my jacket to draw. I didn’t have time to draw, let alone shoot before he got his feet back under him, turned and ran. He was smart enough to know he was about to get shot.

That’s the only time I’ve ever had trouble at an ATM, and it was my fault for not using even a modicum of SA.

——

I do use ATMs on a pretty regular basis, as I do use cash now and then. I like to tip, and having been a waiter before and knowing how some restaurants use tips to supplement the wage they should otherwise be paying, I like to leave it up to the wait person as to how much if any they choose to report to the employer.

There are also times when I just don’t feel like having my shopping preferences and purchases tracked. It’s just none of their business. Once convenience and the government have seduced or forced us into all digital transactions and digital currency, we will have lost a great deal of personal privacy.


I’m pretty moderate and by no means an extremist or conspiracy freak, so I am amazed at the number of “I don’t use cash anymore” posts on this thread.

I use ATMs regularly, but only ones I can use from my car. I'll drive all the way across town to use a drive-up one, rather than get out of my car to use a walk-up one.

I use the one at our small little town bank all the time, during the day. I all ways get out of my car to use it. I'm always armed and looking around. Although our bank was robbed once while I was Chief here, I have never heard of an incident with the ATM.

Use the ATM at least once a week, always in the daytime. For me, going inside the bank is like going to Secretary of State, avoided if at all possible. Besides, if the worst happens and the ATM doesn't work, the lobby probably won't either.

Pardon me for being dense, but I don't understand the analogy...

In Michigan, the Secretary of State handles driver license and vehicle registration renewals . . .

__________________
Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

When I work most of the time I do at least 12 hours a day. I usually get to work before 6am and if I need cash I usually pick it up early in the AM. I do an area check in my car, pull up close, get out with card ready, leave my door open, get my cash and get back in my car.

Two of the places I stay at give me a decent discount for cash. What they tell our uncle is not my problem. Lots of shops like cash too. I believe for much the same reason.

I only use an ATM during daytime situated in a shopping center across the street from a police station.

__________________
Shooting Comfort is bilateral.