Another day, another FirstMerit bank robbery AT "POSTED" BRANCH

This week, a new policy of banning firearms in FirstMerit Bank's Ohio branches began to be enforced. Signs were posted in several branches, with word that they will be posted in all Ohio branches. The bank has not had signs posted in their Pennsylvania branches, although that state has had a concealed carry law since the late 1980's.

Pictured in the print version of the paper are bank personnel and police at the front door, standing right next to a freshly-posted "No Weapons" signs.

We could have told them gun prohibition wouldn't work - Ohio earned one of the highest rates of bank robbery in the nation under the recently repealed, 150-year old concealed carry ban.

May 21, 2004
Akron Beacon-Journal

Akron police are investigating an armed robbery at the FirstMerit Bank branch at 1060 Kenmore Blvd. About 2:30 p.m. Thursday, a man entered the bank, handed the teller a note that said he had a gun and demanded money.

After getting the cash, the robber fled and was last seen in the area of West Wilbeth Road and 15th Street Southwest. A Summit County sheriff's canine unit assisted in searching for the robber. No one was injured in the holdup.

The robber is described as a white male in his 30s, 5 feet 7 inches to 5 feet 9 inches tall, with sandy blond hair, a mustache and goatee. He wore a plaid shirt with a light-colored shirt underneath, light-colored pants, white tennis shoes and a baseball cap.

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Ironic timing for FirstMerit bank to begin posting discriminatory signs