California - seriously

[Eyes_Only]

Lately I’ve been feeling a little jealous of the many (well actually a few) Lock Sport groups now operating in the US. I live in California and currently there is no such group established yet and I wanted to start a serious discussion about this issue.

From what I see on the forums, most of the lockpickers in California all seem to live all in different locations, scattered about throughout the state. There probably (and hopefully) more out there we don’t know about but this seems to be a problem, making it rather difficult for us to meet easily.

Another big issue that causes me concern that a California based LSI or Toool type sport group may never get off the ground is the present attitudes and image this country still has against our lockpicking as a hobby despite the recent media coverage of the bump key threat. Also, where I live in the Los Angeles area, there are cities with very high crime rates and gang activities. I’m sure the LAPD would be thrilled to have a group of people openly discussing lockpicking with the public. There is also a good possibility that this kind of activity would also attract many unsavory individuals to our meetings and events which would no doubt prove to be detriment to our goal of establishing a legitimate and law-abiding sport group. If you have ever spend a lot of time in downtown LA you’ll know what I mean. I’m sure many other lockpicking enthusiasts on this forum face a similar issue all around the country

I know we won’t have a lock sport group up and running here by the end of this year or next year. This would probably take a while, and honestly I would like it to so we can see how the country responds to this subject first.

I could go on but I’ll stop here to keep it simple. What do you guys think? You think a LSI or Toool sport group in CA is realistic?

[What]

I have put some thought into getting a group together in SoCal as well. I just dont think I can find enough people to justify a group in my area(south oc)...

Good luck if you go for it.

[digital_blue]

@Eyes_Only

I think the things you mention are precisely the reason what there *should* be a locksport group in California, or anywhere for that matter.

If a few responsible people started a locksport group in your area and openly promoted the ethical hobby of locksport it could be very good for the hobby. If we *don't* get groups going, we continue to have no voice and both lay person and law maker are left to draw their own conclusions.

Of course, in an area that might appear adverse to the idea of locksport, it becomes even more important that those in the group present themselves as unquestionably upstanding and moral individuals. But I think that's exactly what we need to be doing. That's one of the important reasons why I feel LSI is so important. If we continue to pick locks in seclusion, we can never gain the opportunity to show the world what we're really all about.

db

[apache405]

i agree with digital_blue. our lawmakers are "educated" enough to make them highly dangerious and hardly useful. if we start a locksport group here i would join up in a heart beat.

just my two cents.

[raimundo]

Many lawmakers are charlatans who are looking for the next hobgoblin to sell the fear, like fox noise does appealling to the lowest motives and simplest minds. If that happens, a lot of damage will be done, and people will be keeping their heads down. Fortunately every Amy Fischer story eventually gets OJ'd

[Eyes_Only]

Im starting to think that all this fear and attention on bump keys is taking a lot of the "shady image" of lockpicking and throwing it onto the bump keys instead. I've noticed from reading and viewing lots of news coverage on this issue that a lot of locksmiths downplay this matter as something complicated and ineffective on deadbolts of any brand. With that said I'm sure they'll consider lockpicking as a skill only someone with a PhD can acquire and master if they follow this trend of denial.

[snr_yoda]

To be honest, it's the same with hacking (or cracking), you get one thing saying that everyone who does it is bad and will always be that way. That being said, I have to agree with blue that there should be someone out there representing us and our side of the story. The mass majority of people who actually take the effort to join a group and show up consistently, probably aren't going to go about breaking into places, but then again, that could even happen anyways. There's always going to be a risk starting something up like this, but in the end it's probably worth it.

[QuickPic]

So i think it would be good for my area iam in nor cal
Qp

[Mike13]

I think another issue with forming a group anywhere in California is practicality. The fact that the cities which might be a home to prospective groups are so large and spaced out that anyone wanting to join would have to go out of their way to go to a group that only has 2 or 3 infrequent members.

Don't get me wrong, I would love a local LSI or Toool group, I think it would do wonders for the lockpicking/locksmithing community but practicality is definintely an issue. I read posts from other californians and it seems that everyone is just out of reach of everyone else.

Some of you may say "Hey dummy, good job on identifying a problem now, how about proposing a solution". Well, I don't know if there is an acceptable one.

[quickpickcali]

Iam a Lic Locksmith thought may be some people would like to get a Lock sport Group going Hit me back would meet at the Fremont Library SF Bay Area Ca or near to it
QP Question Question

[cacciato]

I am moving to california and would love to join one in the LA vicinity.

[Puzzlebox]

If you live in LA county, or somewhere near there and are starting a locksport group, let me know.

Oh, and on a side note.... Lockpicks are consider "burglary tools" and unless you're licensed (Locksmith, Tow truck driver, Law enforcement) to carry them it's a felony to carry them. I was almost arrested when I got a ticket and the officer noticed the picks. I quickly had to explain that I've already applied for the locksmithing license etc....)

So to the best of my knowledge, it's illegal to have a locksport group with someone who isn't licensed to carry picks.

[criminalhate]

California:

Code: Select all

LOCKSMITH
(FACT SHEET)

Locksmith Company and Locksmith Employees

Requirements for Licensure

A locksmith operates a business that installs, repairs, opens or modifies locks, or that originates keys for locks. (An individual who simply duplicates existing keys is not considered a locksmith.)

An individual, partnership, or corporation seeking a license as a locksmith must specify in the application the individual who will manage the business on a day-to-day basis. (An owner, partner, or corporate officer may serve as the manager, or may hire someone to fill this role.) In order to obtain the company license, each individual applicant, partner, or corporate officer must undergo a criminal history background check through the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to be evaluated on an individual basis.

To apply for a Locksmith Company license, submit the application for licensure along with a $75 application and license fee, two recent passport-quality photographs and a Locksmith Company Live Scan form signed by the Live Scan Operator. A $32 DOJ fingerprint processing fee and $24 FBI fingerprint processing fee must be paid at the Live Scan site for each applicant, partner and officer. Send your application package to the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, P.O. Box 989002, West Sacramento, CA 95798-9002.

A copy of the Locksmith Act is available through this link: http://www.dca.ca.gov/bsis/locksmith_law.htm

For a license under a fictitious business name, the application shall include a certified copy of the fictitious business name statement filed with the County Clerk. Send the application package to the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, P.O. Box 989002, West Sacramento, CA 95798-9002. You will receive a copy of the Locksmith Act with your license.

Note: If the company performs work at a single site that exceeds $500, a contractor's license is also required (C-28/C-61/D-16). For more information, contact the Contractors' State License Board at (916) 255-3900 or (800) 321-2752 or visit their Web site: www.cslb.ca.gov.

Note: Local government may require a business permit.

Locksmith Employee

To be eligible to apply for registration as a locksmith employee, you must meet the following requirements:

Undergo a criminal history background check through the DOJ and the FBI; and
Submit your completed application, a $20 registration fee and a Locksmith Employee Live Scan form signed by the Live Scan Operator. A $32 DOJ fingerprint processing fee and a $24 FBI fingerprint processing fee must be paid at the Lives Scan site. Send your application package to the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, P.O. Box 989002, West Sacramento, CA 95798-9002
Once you have submitted your application and appropriate fees, you will be issued a 120-day temporary registration. (Individuals who have been convicted of any crime will not be issued a temporary registration.)

To request an application for registration as a locksmith employee or licensure as a locksmith company, call 916-322-4000 or 1-800-952-5210, or visit our Web site: www.dca.ca.gov/bsis.

Protection of the public shall be the highest priority for the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services in exercising licensing, regulatory and disciplinary functions. Whenever the protection of the public is consistent with other interests sought to be promoted, the protection of the public shall be paramount.


California Penal Code

In addition to the information about being a licensed locksmith (see post above), California has a few laws about picks, keys, etc. Most of the laws start with the phrase to the effect of: "Every person who, with the intent to use it in the commission of an unlawful act, possesses"...

Additionally, California law includes the following: (keep your screwdrivers and vise grip pliers at home.)

466. Every person having upon him or her in his or her possession a picklock, crow, keybit, crowbar, screwdriver, vise grip pliers, water-pump pliers, slidehammer, slim jim, tension bar, lock pick gun, tubular lock pick, floor-safe door puller, master key, ceramic or porcelain spark plug chips or pieces, or other instrument or tool with intent feloniously to break or enter into any building, railroad car, aircraft, or vessel, trailer coach, or vehicle as defined in the Vehicle Code, or who shall knowingly make or alter, or shall attempt to make or alter, any key or other instrument named above so that the same will fit or open the lock of a building, railroad car, aircraft, vessel, trailer coach, or vehicle as defined in the Vehicle Code, without being requested to do so by some person having the right to open the same, or who shall make, alter, or repair any instrument or thing, knowing or having reason to believe that it is intended to be used in committing a misdemeanor or felony, is guilty of a misdemeanor. Any of the structures mentioned in Section 459 shall be deemed to be a building within the meaning of this section.

466.6. (a) Any person who makes a key capable of operating the ignition of a motor vehicle or personal property registered under the Vehicle Code for another by any method other than by the duplication of an existing key, whether or not for compensation, shall obtain the name, address, telephone number, if any, date of birth, and driver's license number or identification number of the person requesting or purchasing the key; and the registration or identification number, license number, year, make, model, color, and vehicle identification number of the vehicle or personal property registered under the Vehicle Code for which the key is to be made. Such information, together with the date the key was made and the signature of the person for whom the key was made, shall be set forth on a work order. A copy of each such work order shall be retained for two years, shall include the name and permit number of the locksmith performing the service, and shall be open to inspection by any peace officer or by the Bureau of Collection and Investigative Services during business hours or submitted to the bureau upon request.

466.8. (a) Any person who knowingly and willfully makes a key capable of opening any door or other means of entrance to any residence or commercial establishment for another by any method involving an onsite inspection of such door or entrance, whether or not for compensation, shall obtain, together with the date the key was made, the street address of the residence or commercial establishment, and the signature of the person for whom the key was made, on a work order form, the following information regarding the person requesting or purchasing the key:
(1) Name.
(2) Address.
(3) Telephone number, if any.
(4) Date of birth.
(5) Driver's license number or identification number, if any.
A copy of each such work order shall be retained for two years and shall be open to inspection by any peace officer or by the Bureau of Collection and Investigative Services during business hours or submitted to the bureau upon request.

The law is only for the intent to use them to break into something.

[Lockopener]

a southern cal lock sport group would be great... but im not old enof to drive...

[Lockopener]

oh and what where in the oc? neer tustin? im interested