When you go out do you carry your picks?

[JK_the_CJer]

I don't think throwing a small pickset in your pocket as you walk out the door is that big of a deal. I just sort of got in the habit of doing it. It's not as if I'm scared to leave the house without it, but its nice knowing that if a situation (not necessarily life-threatening occurs), you at least have a chance to resolve it on your own in minimal time.

[Dragunov-21]

I usually keep them in my jacket pocket, along with my favourite TrioVing for practice, plus I've got some pretty ditzy school friends who keep forgetting their locker keys or locking them inside.

(Their own padlocks, and since if I didn't pick them they'd cut them off, I don't particularly see a damage issue...)

Plus practising is a good way to pass time on a bus etc.

[illusion]

The Falle pick set is kinda big to get into a pocket comfortably, but if I am taking a bag then I generally just throw them in there.

I haven't really had to use them in months now, and I'm not certain if I could still manage it, but it feels kinda sentimental for some reason.

If I was stopped carrying them I'd tell them I was a locksmith and give them the number for any of the local locksmiths - They all know I'm not into stealing and would voucch that I was their apprentice.

If I was asked for proof of a locksmith qualification I'd have a hard job not laughing, however.

[lockpick1968]

Here if they catch you anywhere in public with any type of lock opening tools and you cant show proper credentials, you gonna be in a sh** load of trouble and carted off to jail. If you are ahobby picker and going to a contest ect involving them and proof your ok, but other than that you better have a locksmith lic or be in firedept or law enf.

Here they are considered burglary tools unless otherwise. And that would suck if you got caught with a set and being a innocent bystander and take the wrap for alot of burglaries in the area just because you had them in your possession.

I wouldn't recommend it.

[Raccoon]

:idea: Here if they catch you anywhere in public with any type of lock opening tools and you cant show proper credentials, you gonna be in a sh** load of trouble and carted off to jail. If you are ahobby picker and going to a contest ect involving them and proof your ok, but other than that you better have a locksmith lic or be in firedept or law enf.

Here they are considered burglary tools unless otherwise. And that would suck if you got caught with a set and being a innocent bystander and take the wrap for alot of burglaries in the area just because you had them in your possession.

I wouldn't recommend it.

What City/State are you located in?

Please quote the exact law that you are referring to?

I'm sorry, but I don't believe that lock picks in your area are any more inherently criminal than ice picks or pick axes.

[freakparade3]

Unless he's in Illinois or Washington DC I don't think he has his facts straight Raccoon.

[Raccoon]

I know that locksmiths need to be registered in Illinois, but I wasn't aware that possessing lock picks was criminal.

I want someone to prove to me the following scenario:

You're sitting in a coffee shop with a set of lock picks in your hand, picking a mortise lock that you own, with your remaining picks laying on the table before you. A police officer enters the building, places handcuffs on you, and escorts you to the back of his car.

Barring any outside influences, such that you're causing a disturbance with a customer or the shoppe owner asks you not to do that here... Please describe what law(s) would be broken that would result in your arrest.

Again. We are seeing beliefs based on grade-school poppy-cock. You live in America and you don't have to raise your hand to pee.

[freakparade3]

From the law thread on Illinois. It states "with intent" like most everywhere else. I guess Illinois is the same as everywhere.

Sec. 19-2. Possession of burglary tools. (720 ILCS 5/19-2)
(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.

[tmaxx258]

I rarely carry mine on me when i go out,i do this because i dont want my picks to get lost and or stolen.And if a cop searches me for whatever reason(since im still a teen) the cop will have a hard time beleving my that it is my hobby.

[Raccoon]

A person commits the offense of possession of burglary tools
when he possesses [lockpicks] with intent to enter any such place
and with intent to commit therein a felony or theft.

Exactly. You have to be committing a felony crime before lockpicks are considered illegal.

In fact, the law is written with a curious use of the word 'and' and not 'or'. It states that lock picks are only considered burglary tools when someone intends to enter AND steal. I guess it's OK to simply enter without stealing because trespassing is not a felony, just a misdemeanor.

Doesn't mention anything about coffee shops, though.

Thanks for quoting that in this thread. And yes, it is fairly identical to most state laws on the matter.

[Raccoon]

PS. To clarify, I do not condone trespassing. In fact, I just realized why there is that use of 'and'. It means you can enter a place, such as a coffee shop, so long as you do not intend to commit a felony or theft while in possession of lockpicks.

I have also seen people argue that simply possessing lockpicks themselves is representative of intent. This is incorrect. The law needs to prove that the tools were carried WITH intent, not AS intent. Again, the law itself is trying to prove the illicit nature of lockpicks-- it does not assume they are illicit in the first place.

[slozinsky]

Zing!@ These spammers are relentless.

[Mr. Peach]

I carry mine with me sometimes, the cops in the 5 Boroughs would only really care if you had a gun on you. because of all the stupid f**king gangs in new york. if the cops found a pick set or knife on me they would just file a report and send me home (without my pick set) .

[NoZen]

I carry mine in my shoulder bag, so when I've got my shoulder bag I've got my picks. Partly it's so I can practice (I carry a practice cylinder as well), but it's also "just in case."

I've had a couple of times where it's come in handy. First time was opening the lock on a gate-arm at a parking garage when there was a mechanical problem with the arm. I'm a co-owner... saved us the expense of an after-hours call for a locksmith for the lock and garage door company for the gate-arm.

Second time was at my office building, went to let the phone company guy into the basement and found the landlord had changed the lock & forgotten to give us a key. Landlord was a couple of hours south and was OK with me opening the lock ($10 Kwikset deadbolt) to save him the drive and us the wait on getting the phone co back out.

Not exactly James Bond stuff and no ladies in distress, but hey, if one of my hobbies can save me time and money that's fine by me.

On the legal aspect, some advice for USA folks in states where picks are legal unless there's criminal intent. Police are generally NOT experts on the law, except for the stuff that most directly concerns them - like what they're allowed to search without your permission. (They also don't have to tell you the truth, except about some fairly specific Miranda-type stuff.)

So when it comes to a police officer seeing your picks, the short-term outcome is going to depend a lot more on whether the officer thinks you're a "bad guy" ... or if he's a bully and simply doesn't like you... than on the law in your state. So consider whether the average cop in your area will have an axe to grind with you because of how you look or act, and if so whether you want to add further complication to those encounters. And if it ever does become an issue, you're probably better off selling yourself as a fine upstanding citizen than arguing over the law.

Not saying it's right, just being practical.

[ToolyMcgee]

Even without the New Mexico Tech I could've spotted the college boy attitude a mile away Racoon. Yes, this is America and you enjoy many freedoms, blah, blah. The sidewalk isn't a court of law. Someone mentioned earlier if you are within a few blocks of a reported crime it could be trouble if you have your picks in your pocket. If the police stop you, you resist arrest, you have an attitude, and you have picks in your pocket?... You may not legally be charged with anything, but you most definately will have time to think about whether you should carry them around anymore, and probably plenty of drunk cell mates to agree with you about what the police can and can't do.