about california.

[princeofbandits]

hi im new to this whole lock picking scene, and i was planning on picking it up as a hobby.

im also from california, and i was reading the law post about california. it left me confused. does it mean i shouldnt be buying tools for this stuff unless i plan on becomming a licenced professional? or does it mean i can still buy a my first picking set and not worry about the cops busting down my door to confiscate them?

if anyone could clarify all this for me i would really appreciate it.
thanks.

[Shrub]

I am only thinking off the top of my head here so dont take it as gospel but...

I would think that if you intend on useing them at home for hobby picking, your not going to walk around the streets with them and yu not going to be showing off your skills to anyone then you can pretty much have lockpicks anywhere.

If you house was busted (i doubt it over a set of lockpicks) then they will find them with a load of practise locks, bits of print outs from here and can be shown your account o this hobby picking site.

I would think your going to be ok if your sensible.

That all said i havent read the law thread for your area and i dont know you or what you intend to do.

If you feel its wrong and feel guilty at doing it then you shouldnt do it.

[raimundo]

I gave up guilt for lent

[princeofbandits]

lmao. thanks for the reply. yes this is purely a hobby. and all that blueprint stuff thats cool with the law too if its just educational too? if it is then i shall check it out asap

[vjbeau]

princeofbandits

look at it this way.....
When was the lastg time you were searched by the police?

how many times a year do they pull you over and frisk you, empty your pockets (cavity search?)

If this DOES happen to you with relative frequency then I suggest that you keep them at home. Your desk or draw will be fine. No need for a concrete and titanium stealth electrified vault.

You're in good company here and welcome to the sport.

[LockNewbie21]

Sounds good to me, new people joining here is great you like me can learn so much, and don't worry about the police as long as you follow the cardinal rule, don't pick a lock you dont own, inless its an absolute emergency (niehbor locked out, always seek permission), but other than that its a great hobby, just needs a little time to be reconized and accepted by skeptics (mostly old wrinkly poloticians )



Good luck and welcome buddy

Andy

[pondman]

hi im new to this whole lock picking scene, and i was planning on picking it up as a hobby.

im also from california, and i was reading the law post about california. it left me confused. does it mean i shouldnt be buying tools for this stuff unless i plan on becomming a licenced professional? .

The permit literature in California states that only licensed locksmiths may modify the intended purpose of the manufacturers of a lock. So I guess that could be interperted severely to mean, no picks, or drills. I know a few cowboys who are working unlicensed for maintainence companies who drill and motify and if caught probably will be reprimanded (I don't know why they just don't pay the fee.) It's comparible to selling liquor without a license. I would suggest if you want to some day be working in California to follow the procedures or leave the things at home or hide them on the way to a training facility.

It's a State where you don't want a record of something like that following you around. I've talked to local law enforcement. They will consider a stash of picks as serious as a concealed weapon and if you don't want to explain where you have been every night for the last year, I wouldn't carry them.

I have a personal friend, who inherited a million dollar 3rd generation locksmith busines. He was busted for posession of about $80 worth of cocaine. It prevented him from operating the business. It ruined him in the California. If you want a future don't make your hobbie visible.

[lockedin]

As a Californian I can tell you not to even trip about ordering and having lock picks. I have a whole set of equipment for both door and car locks and so do some of my friends and no one gives a rip. Just use commonsense, and don't flash them in front of police officers and you should be ok. Hope that helps.