Canadian Law concerning purchase and ownership of Lockpicks

[gooby]

I live in Canada and I wish to order some lockpicking tools from the US but I'm reluctant to do so since I'm unsure of the laws in this regard.

I had found some info from this site a while back before I was even a member here, but wasn't sure if it was still current. If anyone has found up-to-date info, I would appreciate getting my hands on it.

Needless to say, my interests lie strictly in doing this as a hobby as well as helping out the ocassional individual that locks him/herself out.

[bumber]

this is what I got from a search...

"Also, laws vary from country to country, and even state to state in the USA. Most jurisdictions require proof of malicious intent, so simple possession of lock picking tools is usually ok, especially if they always stay at home. However, in some jurisdictions it is up to YOU to prove you are not a criminal, so special care needs to be taken not to carry your tools in public where this might be difficult (e.g. late at night), and in a few places it is illegal to possess lock picking tools at all."

Now that only goes for the USA, I heard somthing about shipping across the border but dont remember if it was good or bad....cant you find a supplier in CAN...?

[gooby]

....cant you find a supplier in CAN...?

I actually haven't checked yet because I wanted to know if I'm going to get into deep doo-doo by even owning them.

I'll be doing some searching as soon I finish this post.[/quote]

[bumber]

As long as you keep them at your house you shouldn't get into trouble, but like I said I don't know yet about the CAN laws...Im gonna see what I can find about them...
Worst comes to worst you can make a set if thats your last resort...and this is the place to learn to do that OH YEAH Welcome to the site

[MacGyver101]

There are not any suppliers in Canada that I have found that will ship to a hobbyist... but I'm unaware of anyone having any trouble ordering from a U.S. supplier.

In Canada, tools which are specifically designed for automobile entry or locks are prohibited unless you're using them professionally -- and some Provinces (e.g., Alberta) require you to be licensed in order to possess lockpicks. I do know that you're fine in Ontario, to just generally possess them.

Keep in mind that if you're found with lockpicks (in any part of Canada or the U.S.) in a situation that looks like you're intending on using them for a crime, you will almost certainly be charged... although the same applies to crowbars, bolt cutters, etc.. (In some States, you may not be convicted, but you are almost certainly going to be charged.) So, don't wear a balaclava to your Locksport meetings in the alley behind a jewelry store.

[gooby]

bumber,
Thanks for your offer to keep looking and for the welcome. After my last post, I did indeed do some searching and found a number of places that have locksmith supplies. I sent each one of them an email explaining that I do it as a hobby and asking if they sell to non-locksmiths. It'll be interesting to see what kinds of replies I get.

MacGyver101,
Thanks for the info and the chuckle at the end of your post! If I get any positive replies, I will pass it along here.