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Okay, after getting over my stomach cramps from the "Church Reciprocity" thread, I have a question about ATMs.

I have always assumed that a drive-up ATM would be safer in that I can most always expect to drive away from danger leaving cash/cards/whatever behind if need be. That said a lot of banks in my area have walk-up ATMs. Heck one bank has three drive-up ATMs and one walk-up ATM. Some only have walk-up ATMs which I have chosen to avoid.

My thoughts are that a walk-up ATM would make a draw easier. It would provide better field of view. But, would it also make avoiding trouble more difficult as I’m now removed from my car? On average drive-up ATMs block a large portion of my field of view. Unless I un-holster ahead of time (which I now intend to do) my seat-belted draw would be slow. But as assumed before, unless someone was very organized, I could drive away from many threats. There are also the ATMs inside convenience stores. These offer plenty of lighting, cameras, witnesses, etc. But I don’t need video of the guy robbing me. The biggest disadvantage I see is that people in close proximity are to be expected so a BG would already have the drop on you. I don’t really like these either.

I’ve seen ATM threads but not tactical comparisons between the options. Assuming (y)our situation allows for a choice, just wondering what the consensus of the forum would be. Which option would be considered more tactically advantageous? I think I am just curious why anyone would want a walk-up and I assume I am missing something.

I use walk up ATM's located inside a grocery store or pharmacy.

texanron wrote:I use walk up ATM's located inside a grocery store or pharmacy.

This..... But if you must use a drive through, your car is as potent a weapon as your pistol....and it will help you didi mau out of there, which your pistol won't do. If someone rushed up to my car at an ATM, I'd hit the cancel button on the machine and then hit the cancel button on the bad guy by backing over him once, maybe twice (this is called the "automotive Mozambique drill," or "AMD") before calling 911. You can always get your pistol out later if you feel the need to show it the cops.

I also try to avoid the ATMs that hold my card during the transaction. Swipe the card, and back in the wallet it goes. Then, if bad stuff hits the fan, I won't be trying to retrieve my card from the machine before I apply TAM's AMD drill and bug on out of there.

Hmmm... AMD "drill"... Is that about as redundant as ATM "machine"? Or SAT "test"?

AMD + SUV = DRT

Hardly ever use an ATM, but if I must I use a drive through one. We get to the grocery store at least once every 2-3 days and sometimes every day for short periods. It's right on our way to and from work, so no problem there. I rarely need or carry cash, but if I'm going to need any I'll just get less cash from the grocery store one day.

The Annoyed Man wrote:then hit the cancel button on the bad guy by backing over him once, maybe twice (this is called the "automotive Mozambique drill," or "AMD") before calling 911.

Is there a Massad Ayoob video about what to say afterwards? "That is the person that attacked me. I can backup if you can't see him under there. The witnesses are there. The evidence will be on the ATM camera and in my tire tread. I will sign the complaint."

PS, thank you all for the responses. I am liking the in store ATMs more as you all describe. Or at least the non-convinience store versions.

i prefer the type that dont hold my card also but im not going to search the city for the ATM i prefer . in the drive thu i always take off my seatbelt and pull my shirt over my holster . i also pull up soo close that no one is getting in between me and the machine (yes ive scratched some rims )
other than that i try not to be too paranoid , whats would be worse is having to give up some of these awful expensive buffalo bores

Crossfire wrote:I also try to avoid the ATMs that hold my card during the transaction. Swipe the card, and back in the wallet it goes. Then, if bad stuff hits the fan, I won't be trying to retrieve my card from the machine before I apply TAM's AMD drill and bug on out of there.

Hmmm... AMD "drill"... Is that about as redundant as ATM "machine"? Or SAT "test"?

Or --- CHL LIcense!

Why not just request cash back when paying at the grocery store?

sjfcontrol wrote:Why not just request cash back when paying at the grocery store?

Because, usually, I am at the ATM to deposit checks, after banking hours. I seldom get cash from an ATM.

I use grocery store ATM's but prefer to use the one at my bank. No fee and it's seperate from the bank building. It sits off to the side by itself so it's hard for someone to sneak up on you.

Gotta go practice my Mozambique drills.

The car has a lot more stopping power than any size caliber and can get you out of danger.

rcasady wrote:i also pull up soo close that no one is getting in between me and the machine (yes ive scratched some rims )

I always pull close enough that there is no way a human can get between my window and the ATM. I guess they could break out my passenger window to get at me, but that would give me a fairly clean shot (assuming there was some reason I couldn't just hit the gas at that point).

Also, I haven't seen it mentioned here, but I always unholster when I get in the car and place my EDC in the center console. I find it is much more accessible in the center console than it would be on my hip, and it's also a heck of alot more comfortable. I just re-holster before leaving the vehicle.

I can deposit checks using a scanner :)

As is all safety, ATM safety is greatly enhanced by advanced planning. Recon your drive-up ATM candidates over a period of time. Determine, to the best of your ability, what looks normal in the vicinity and what looks out of place. Make a note of high and low traffic periods. Analysis the approach path a BG would need to use. Plan an escape route and procedure. Establish your comfort zone and stick to it.

When I am in a strange location I use walk-up ATMs in high traffic open areas such as a grocery store or hotel lobby.

All that said, be aware of how your ATM looks. Some of the card theft devices are difficult to detect through casual observation.

When I pull up to my ATM I always have my revolver out of his seatbelt holster and sitting on top of
my center console, ready to rock. Yes, it's unconcealed for the time of the ATM visit, but instantly accessible in case
some yahoo tried something.

As soon as I finish the ATM transaction and start to drive away, my revolver returns to legal concealment.

One piece of advice that my bank has provided is to always leave your vehicle running during the transaction.
That way you can either escape quickly or run over the perp in a timely fashion.

SIA