Lockpicks - Illegal To Own

[Andy_Copland 0]

I went into a locksmith the other week to buy a new set of picks. I am no expert by any means but I do enjoy picking and have had some good success.

When i asked the locksmith if he had any picks he got really defensive asking if i was a smith, i replied "No, I'm a hobbyist."

Well strike me down, you'd have thought i was asking where to buy a radioactive bomb to plant in the middle of the city. I was told they are ILLEGAL to own as they are burglar tools. This was in Ohio, I'm not sure about other states.

So for the average citizen, you can buy a firearm but not own a set of lock picks. Land of the free indeed.

1338

People aint made of nothin' but water and shit.

Until morale improves, the beatings will continue.

[wayneflorida 0]

I own at least 486 tools so I'm a burglar.
By joining this post we are subject to the Rico act.
Don't worry I won't ever rat you out, unless they
offer a really good plea deal.

[futuredivot 0]

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unless they
offer a really good plea deal.

Or a sizable reward

You are only as strong as the prey you devour

[Lucky... 0]

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By joining this post we are subject to the Rico act

What part of Rico applies to talking about what may be legal? Even if illegal, civil or criminal RICO, I imagine you mean civil forfeiture, how is this subject to RICO?

[Lucky... 0]

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I went into a locksmith the other week to buy a new set of picks. I am no expert by any means but I do enjoy picking and have had some good success.

When i asked the locksmith if he had any picks he got really defensive asking if i was a smith, i replied "No, I'm a hobbyist."

Well strike me down, you'd have thought i was asking where to buy a radioactive bomb to plant in the middle of the city. I was told they are ILLEGAL to own as they are burglar tools. This was in Ohio, I'm not sure about other states.

So for the average citizen, you can buy a firearm but not own a set of lock picks. Land of the free indeed.

I don't know Ohio law, but I imagine he's talking about Possession of Burglary tools. I think how it works is that you must be part of a burglary or attempted / conspired burglary and then it applies. Perhaps a convicted felon as well. It's probably most often a lesser included to burglary.

[turtlespeed 221]

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unless they
offer a really good plea deal.

Or a sizable reward

Whatever - Sizeable is relative - right now - I'd do it for a quarter and a cup of coffee.

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[metalslug 36]

That's certainly the law over here, and it makes sense to me. Maybe its because our crime rate warrants such a law.
Certified locksmiths carry a licence/certificate that allows them to own professionally made lockpicks.
They show these credentials when buying lockpicks and if you're caught with such a set and cannot provide locksmith credentials, you can get arrested.

[dgskydive 0]

What is a "hobbyist" when it comes to picking locks? Just walk around and see if you can open something that you should not be opening? Or do you like to lock yourself out of the house and see if you can get back in?

Dom

[jtnesbitt 0]

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I went into a locksmith the other week to buy a new set of picks. I am no expert by any means but I do enjoy picking and have had some good success.

When i asked the locksmith if he had any picks he got really defensive asking if i was a smith, i replied "No, I'm a hobbyist."

Well strike me down, you'd have thought i was asking where to buy a radioactive bomb to plant in the middle of the city. I was told they are ILLEGAL to own as they are burglar tools. This was in Ohio, I'm not sure about other states.

So for the average citizen, you can buy a firearm but not own a set of lock picks. Land of the free indeed.

Did you tell him it's ok as you are an illegal tool yourself?

"If this post needs to be moderated I would prefer it to be completly removed and not edited and butchered into a disney movie" - DorkZone Hero

[JohnRich 4]

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What is a "hobbyist" when it comes to picking locks? Just walk around and see if you can open something that you should not be opening? Or do you like to lock yourself out of the house and see if you can get back in?

I have lost keys before to my house, and picked my way inside a door. And I've helped people who have locked their keys inside their cars. Does that make me a criminal?

[turtlespeed 221]

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What is a "hobbyist" when it comes to picking locks? Just walk around and see if you can open something that you should not be opening? Or do you like to lock yourself out of the house and see if you can get back in?

I have lost keys before to my house, and picked my way inside a door. And I've helped people who have locked their keys inside their cars. Does that make me a criminal?

Apparently - Now GO REGISTER YOUR WEAPONS!

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[dgskydive 0]

I never said criminal. I have helped people get into their cars with hangers back in the day. just curious as to how picking locks could be a hobby. Does he have a bunch of locks around the house that he plays with when bored? Just curious

Dom

[metalslug 36]

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I have lost keys before to my house, and picked my way inside a door. And I've helped people who have locked their keys inside their cars. Does that make me a criminal?

Are you comfortable knowing that pretty much anyone else can get the necessary tools to pick their way through your door ? (..assuming lockpicks are legal there, of course).

I accept that you're in the U.S. and some citizens there sleep with their doors open, but that kinda thing freaks us out over here.

[FreeflyChile 0]

So basically, MacGuyver has to live in an empty house.

[likestojump 3]

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I never said criminal. I have helped people get into their cars with hangers back in the day. just curious as to how picking locks could be a hobby. Does he have a bunch of locks around the house that he plays with when bored? Just curious

by the same logic it should be illegal to own guns if you are not a LEO, don't compete and live in a nice neighborhood, as that eliminates the need to defend oneself.

Seriously, as silly as some hobbies are, people are allowed to own things that can be used for criminal acts - that does not make those people criminals.

For the record I own a couple of sets of lockpicks, bumpkeys, and various other tools that any BASE jumper should be proficient with. Just buy them online, and no one will ask you silly questions.

[rehmwa 2]

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Seriously, as silly as some hobbies are, people are allowed to own things that can be used for criminal acts - that does not make those people criminals.

not in liberal land where crime isn't about your ACTIONS, just the property you might own

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[rhaig 0]

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Are you comfortable knowing that pretty much anyone else can get the necessary tools to pick their way through your door ? (..assuming lockpicks are legal there, of course).

I accept that you're in the U.S. and some citizens there sleep with their doors open, but that kinda thing freaks us out over here.

I know the personal safety situation is different there, but securing your home from an intruder is all about degrees. Why worry about picking the lock, when there's a small window next to the front door? It's extremely expensive to make a home intruder-proof. So it's all about degrees of safety. Tradeoffs between cost and security. Lock picks don't bother me. Anyone subtle enough to use lock picks will likely go to the back door, and ensure nobody is home. They can have my stuff. That doesn't bother me as much.

--
Rob

[Bolas 5]

How to stifle innovation and create a false sense of security. When a flaw or vulnerability is discovered, just ban the tools to exploit it.

Good thing computer operating systems don't take this approach.

Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting
If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh.

[billvon 2,998]

You buy picks? I just sort of assumed no one sold them; I've always made my own.

[turtlespeed 221]

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You buy picks? I just sort of assumed no one sold them; I've always made my own.

My image of you is destroyed . . .

Oh . . . wait . . . nevermind.

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[DrewEckhardt 0]

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I have lost keys before to my house, and picked my way inside a door. And I've helped people who have locked their keys inside their cars. Does that make me a criminal?

Are you comfortable knowing that pretty much anyone else can get the necessary tools to pick their way through your door ?

Sure, just like I'm comfortable that any one over 21 years old can buy enough beer to become intoxicated and kill me while driving drunk.

If they couldn't, a little work with a grinder can turn street sweeper bristles into lock picks. Or windshield wiper inserts. Or bicycle spokes.

[turtlespeed 221]

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I have lost keys before to my house, and picked my way inside a door. And I've helped people who have locked their keys inside their cars. Does that make me a criminal?

Are you comfortable knowing that pretty much anyone else can get the necessary tools to pick their way through your door ?

Sure, just like I'm comfortable that any one over 21 years old can buy enough beer to become intoxicated and kill me while driving drunk.

If they couldn't, a little work with a grinder can turn street sweeper bristles into lock picks. Or windshield wiper inserts. Or bicycle spokes.

Or this little site could help . . .

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[JohnRich 4]

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Are you comfortable knowing that pretty much anyone else can get the necessary tools to pick their way through your door ? (..assuming lockpicks are legal there, of course).

They can also throw a rock through a window, or kick open the door.
Banning the sale of lockpicks isn't going to stop a criminal.

[turtlespeed 221]

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Are you comfortable knowing that pretty much anyone else can get the necessary tools to pick their way through your door ? (..assuming lockpicks are legal there, of course).

They can also throw a rock through a window, or kick open the door.
Banning the sale of lockpicks isn't going to stop a criminal.

Lock picks don't pick locks, people do!

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[JohnRich 4]

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You buy picks? I just sort of assumed no one sold them; I've always made my own.

And there's the proof - banning lock picks doesn't stop people from picking locks.

For sale: http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/SearchResults.aspx?catid=1125&site=All+Products&num=10&q=lock+picks

Yeah, but do your home-made picks come in a nice custom pouch?

Uh-oh, guess what? It's illegal for you to own lock picks in California. That makes you a criminal, and you just confessed in public to the crime. The police should be arriving at your doorstep soon to take you to jail. It matters not that you haven't actually committed any burglaries with these tools - all that matters is that you own them.

Are you seeing any analogies here yet to the gun ownership debate?