illinois, possession of lock picks

[th3anvil]

I was wondering, is it against the statues of Illinois to "SELL" lockpicks?

I couldn't find anything in that direct link from: thubanpete

[thubanpete]

Not as far as I've been able to find.

In fact, I know a few places in Chicagoland that sell them out in the open.

-ThubanPete

[th3anvil]

That's great to hear! Where can you find them in Chicago?

[thubanpete]

The store where I bought mine is called The U-Spy Store.

Yeah, it's a spy store... ...but it's a good place to to find them locally.

-ThubanPete

[rocketmn333]

so if this place sells them, then i can go buy them and have them on me or in my possession or in my house ect, and not get arrested?

[thubanpete]

The law on that's a bit nebulous.

The revelant statute is 720 ILCS 5/ Criminal Code of 1961, Title III, Section C, Paragraph 19. It reads:

(720 ILCS 5/19‑2) (from Ch. 38, par. 19‑2)
Sec. 19‑2. Possession of burglary tools.
(a) A person commits the offense of possession of burglary tools when he possesses any key, tool, instrument, device, or any explosive, suitable for use in breaking into a building, housetrailer, watercraft, aircraft, motor vehicle as defined in The Illinois Vehicle Code, railroad car, or any depository designed for the safekeeping of property, or any part thereof, with intent to enter any such place and with intent to commit therein a felony or theft.
(b) Sentence.
Possession of burglary tools in violation of this Section is a Class 4 felony.
(Source: P. A. 78‑255.)


As you can see, it covers any instrument that can be used in breaking and entering. It also specifies "with intent to enter". These mean that if you're caught with picks (or a screw driver, brick, sledge hammer, etc.) while either actually breaking into somewhere (or just loitering around and acting in a way that a cop could deem suspicious) then you're in felony teritory. If you're just carrying your picks and the police have no reason to suspect you of anything you should (hopefully) be fine.

Personally, I have a few sets of picks that I carry on my person and have in my tool kit at home, and have never once had a problem. If you limit yourself to the hobby aspects of lock picking, you should be just fine. If you do buy picks, I'd also recommend picking up a lock or two at Ace or Menards to practice on. That way there will be less of a temptation to try and pick licks that are in use, and you can carry your practice material with you.

Good luck & easy picking,

-ThubanPete

[rocketmn333]

locks not licks right lol, sorry had to say it

[thubanpete]

Oops.

I just wish someone @ Tootsie would slip up one and do the whole "How many locks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop" thing.

-ThubanPete

[ThousandThugs]

if u have pics on u and a cop finds it your gonna get ....thats why u either ditch it or gouch it if u dont want to get in trouble..anybody know specific laws for missouri?

[raimundo]

When evolution is outlawed, only outlaws will evolve

[RolandD]

It's all about intent. If you look through the state laws, nearly any tool can be considered a burglary tool. You must have the intention to use them in committing a crime. Possession, without intent, is legal in nearly every state.

[op-sec]

I think it's actually legal in EVERY state... D.C. isn't a state so, it doesn't count. I'm betting that the lock-pick related laws in D.C. went on the books just moments after they changed the callsign on the plane carrying Nixon from "Airforce 1" to "SAM 26000".

[yanksfan]

In my experiences its 100% legal to have lock picks in your possession, as long as you are responsible and using
common sense, basically following the same rules that we all agree to by becoming a member of LP101. Cops may question you for having them but they can't seize them from you without due cause. So as long as you stay legal and pick your own locks you'll be fine.

Hope ot helps, somewhat.