The secret to picking locks

[logosys]

Ok, I've figured out the secret to increasing your ability to "feel" a lock, and open it, as well as opening locks with security pins. Practice. Pick whenever you can. I pick in the car on the way to work and school, I pick in boring classes, I pick at work when there's nothing to do, I pick while I'm watching TV, and I pick while I search these boards for help. I just opened a 6 security pin Schlage SC-4 (It took me a half hour, but I GOT IT!!!!)

The other advantage of picking around in public, is people remember you when they lock themselves out of their apartment/house and are generally willing to give you a 5-20 dollar tip when you help em out. Anyway, I just wanted to share my revelation with everyone. Happy picking!

[reg]

very good point - I might add, I've stopped reading first thing in the morning, and placed a hook, tension tool and a lock in the smallest room of the house. In the evening while watching TV sometimes my husband complains about the clicking sounds ...

repinning a practise lock so a somewhat more challenging puzzle with spools in it, gave me still more feel for locks with those pins and it gave me more insight in the inner workings of a lock.
I knew it all from photographs, but having had a spring and the pin stack in your hands (cleaning them, I have old locks) makes it easier to imagine what is going on inside a lock for me.

Cheers,

reg

[Eagerpicker]

As an aid to improve my visualization skills, I have just ordered the Multipick-service practice lock and a bag of pins and springs for repinning. Actually seeing the result of every slight hand move will hopefully improve my mental eye sight. And, like reg, I pick at night watching the telly and at all odd hours of the day in fact, whenever I get the chance.

[mcm757207]

The other advantage of picking around in public, is people remember you when they lock themselves out of their apartment/house and are generally willing to give you a 5-20 dollar tip when you help em out. Anyway, I just wanted to share my revelation with everyone. Happy picking!

Another (dis)advantage of picking in public- paranoid people become less trusting of you, and the punk down the alley holds you at gun point and forces you to pick a lock (thus commiting B&E). Next day, (afer the B&E), that paranoid freak decides he's tired of you being able to pick locks, so he calls the cops (who have just inspected the site of the burglery only to find no visable entry point = used a key or lockpicking), so they arrest you because they think you broke into the house (which you did).

Lol, some people's little bubble of security breaks when they realize that picking locks isn't just hollywood magic. I would be carefull about that.

[yungning]

Advantage??
you better be careful about that, you probably don't want too many people know you know how to pick.
who knows...maybe one day people will think you are the thief who opened someone's door and stole stuff...

[Retrovertigo]

You are looking at felony charges just for posession:


This is cut & Pasted from: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/



Sec. 16.01. Unlawful Use of Criminal Instrument.

(a) A person commits an offense if:

(1) he possesses a criminal instrument with intent to use it
in the commission of an offense; or

(2) with knowledge of its character and with intent to use
or aid or permit another to use in the commission of an
offense, he manufactures, adapts, sells, installs, or sets up a
criminal instrument.

(b) For the purpose of this section, "criminal instrument"
means anything, the possession, manufacture, or sale of which is
not otherwise an offense, that is specially designed, made, or
adapted for use in the commission of an offense.

(c) An offense under Subsection (a)(1) is one category lower
than the offense intended. An offense under Subsection (a)(2) is
a state jail felony.

Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 883, ch. 399, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1974.
Amended by Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 913, ch. 342, Sec. 7, eff.
Sept. 1, 1975; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, Sec. 1.01, eff.
Sept. 1, 1994.

[hzatorsk]

Guilt by association. People know you pick and there becomes a tendency to point fingers in your general direction should a crime be commited.

"Yeah officer, there is this guy logosys that is always running around messing with people's locks. I saw him open the neighbor's door once just to prove he could... He sure does brag about how no lock can keep him out."

When I was a kid... some 30 years ago... I had a hard time as my whole school, family and neighborhood knew I could open locks. More than once I was falsely accused of things and some people could not be convinced otherwise.

You definitely want to stay under the radar!

Harold

[S3rratedSp00L]

I would be more worried about the aiding part! How hard do you think it is for someone to say that you taught them and they went out and commited a crime! Maybe you said "NO!" and they want revenge for you supposedly getting them caught. This is how ignorant criminals may think. Be careful!

Aiding can make you subject to the same charges as a criminal. If you teach anyone, make them agree in writing not to hold you liable for anything they do. ....this still doesn't protect you from people who want revenge because you won't teach them. Might be best to keep the picking private. People are ignorant and you may threaten their illusion of safety.

[logosys]

To date, I've only taught a good friend of mine to pick locks, and he quickly lost interest (he has NO patience) As far as being indicted for possession of burglary tools - my brother is a federal attorney, and I have lunch with the DA every Tuesday I'm not too concerned about people trying to concoct false charges against me...

[Romstar]

You are looking at felony charges just for posession:


This is cut & Pasted from: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/



Sec. 16.01. Unlawful Use of Criminal Instrument.

(a) A person commits an offense if:

(1) he possesses a criminal instrument with intent to use it
in the commission of an offense; or

(2) with knowledge of its character and with intent to use
or aid or permit another to use in the commission of an
offense, he manufactures, adapts, sells, installs, or sets up a
criminal instrument.

(b) For the purpose of this section, "criminal instrument"
means anything, the possession, manufacture, or sale of which is
not otherwise an offense, that is specially designed, made, or
adapted for use in the commission of an offense.

(c) An offense under Subsection (a)(1) is one category lower
than the offense intended. An offense under Subsection (a)(2) is
a state jail felony.

Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 883, ch. 399, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1974.
Amended by Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 913, ch. 342, Sec. 7, eff.
Sept. 1, 1975; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, Sec. 1.01, eff.
Sept. 1, 1994.

, sometimes I just wish people wouold read and THINK. This isn't rocket science people. Hell, rocket science is simpler.

16.01 (A) (1) .......with INTENT to use it in the comission of an offence.....

Now, when you get to the definitions, you have a load of fun. Picks are not made, or intended to be made for the comission of an offence. They are tools, made and developed specificially for the purposes of opening a lock when the key is missing or the lock is damaged.
A crow bar is not made or intended to be used in the comission of an offence, a gun is not made or intended for teh comission of an offence!!!

Basically, this charge is an ancilliary charge. Meant to be laid in any case where another indictable offence has occured.

Regardless of the object in question, if it is used in the comission of an offence, whether a lock pick, vice grip, hammer, crow bar or gun, it is a CRIMINAL INSTURMENT if used in the comission of a CRIMINAL ACT.

Nothing more, nothing less. Intent is required to be proven, pure and simple.

READ this stuff carefully and learn your rights under the criminal code and the constitution.

Romstar

[Romstar]

On the topic of aiding and abetting, because I see this one come up from time to time.

Aiding and abetting can only be made a charge if the information gained was specific to the individual, and unavailable elsewhere.

Because it is easy to find lock picking information anywhere from the local library to the internet, a charge for aiding and abetting can only be made if you supplied tools.

Certainly they can lay the charge, but they can never prove it, and you therefore continue to plead not guilty. Remember the burden of proof lies on the district attourney and quite simply they are going to want to try and scare you into pleading guilty.

Don't ever do it.

Romstar

[Retrovertigo]

You are looking at felony charges just for posession:


This is cut & Pasted from: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/



Sec. 16.01. Unlawful Use of Criminal Instrument.

(a) A person commits an offense if:

(1) he possesses a criminal instrument with intent to use it
in the commission of an offense; or

(2) with knowledge of its character and with intent to use
or aid or permit another to use in the commission of an
offense, he manufactures, adapts, sells, installs, or sets up a
criminal instrument.

(b) For the purpose of this section, "criminal instrument"
means anything, the possession, manufacture, or sale of which is
not otherwise an offense, that is specially designed, made, or
adapted for use in the commission of an offense.

(c) An offense under Subsection (a)(1) is one category lower
than the offense intended. An offense under Subsection (a)(2) is
a state jail felony.

Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 883, ch. 399, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1974.
Amended by Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 913, ch. 342, Sec. 7, eff.
Sept. 1, 1975; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, Sec. 1.01, eff.
Sept. 1, 1994.

, sometimes I just wish people wouold read and THINK. This isn't rocket science people. Hell, rocket science is simpler.

16.01 (A) (1) .......with INTENT to use it in the comission of an offence.....

Now, when you get to the definitions, you have a load of fun. Picks are not made, or intended to be made for the comission of an offence. They are tools, made and developed specificially for the purposes of opening a lock when the key is missing or the lock is damaged.
A crow bar is not made or intended to be used in the comission of an offence, a gun is not made or intended for teh comission of an offence!!!

Basically, this charge is an ancilliary charge. Meant to be laid in any case where another indictable offence has occured.

Regardless of the object in question, if it is used in the comission of an offence, whether a lock pick, vice grip, hammer, crow bar or gun, it is a CRIMINAL INSTURMENT if used in the comission of a CRIMINAL ACT.

Nothing more, nothing less. Intent is required to be proven, pure and simple.

READ this stuff carefully and learn your rights under the criminal code and the constitution.

Romstar

Darn, sometimes I just wish people wouold read the rules and THINK. I'll have to try rocket science I hear it's simpler

Use some common sense. Ohh that might be in the same catagory as rocket science btw.

The point is, if you carry picks you have intent (why else carry them duh!) to use them. If you cannot prove to them you are a locksmith. Then you have alot explaining to do. Even if you have no criminal intent. Try explaining that to the cop who found you in posession of tools that only have one purpose (it's kind of hard to pick a lock with a crowbar). And are only carried by thieves with intent, or bonded locksmiths. Ohh ya uhmm I was going to pick... ahem I mean solve my puzzle.

[logosys]

I personally do not want to see this thread deteriorate into a flamefest, so I will say my piece on the matter and then go back to my previously positive encouragement of people to PRACTICE picking.

Retro - You list your profession as a locksmith, so perhaps you are slanted against me. Lockpicking is as much a game as it a profession. There is little to no case law regarding possession of lockpicks as a criminal offense. In precedent, it is always an ancilliary charge. In the State of Texas (Only state I had full access to all police reports and case law) there has never been an arrest warrant issued for possession of lockpicks. NEVER.

Furthermore, the law cited has two parts: Part 1 - Criminal Instrument with Intent to USE IT IN THE COMMISSION OF AN OFFENSE. and Part 2 - Manufacture, adaptation, sale, installation or set up of a Criminal Instrument. The punishment of the first offense is to be 1 degree lesser than the offense intended, meaning that in order to charge you under subsection 1 of the law, the state must be able to prove that you were intending on doing something. This charge must be a state charge as well, not "Breaking and Entering" but "Breaking and Entering 800 Marion Pugh Dr - Apt 1516" Probable cause would probably be you trying to pick that lock at 2 am without the owners permission.. As far as Part 2 goes, the state must prove your sale with imminent knowledge of the intent of the party at fault (whether that be you or the person you sold picks to), or manufacture meeting the requirements of said previous section (Breaking and Entering 800 Marion Pugh Apt 1516). The law has a very clear purpose - charging people with a crime in the act. I.E. Joe is picking Mary's lock without Mary's permission. Technically, until he compromises the lock, he is not guilty of B&E, but the officer can still slap the cuffs on him because he had criminal intent with a criminal instrument.

Romstar - You hit the nail on the head.

Now, can we kindly go back to talking about how practice can increase your abilities without you even noticing?

[S3rratedSp00L]

You'd think if you were hobby picking 8 hours a day, it would keep you out of a lot of trouble right!? Police should see this as a good thing. UNfortunately, they are police so they usually don't. They are more concerned with the potential for misuse most of the time. It is their job.

Locks are relaxing to pick. If you can't relax and have no patience, then you'd have trouble picking locks. Maybe if the police and others would give it a try, (as a hobby) they would see that it takes time. It would force them to relax, relieve some stress and learn what they already know. Most criminals use the "keys to the city"... ala, pry-bars, bolt-cutters, drills, screwdrivers, rocks, bricks. ceramic from plates, mugs, spark plugs, etc.. etc... picking takes too much time for impatient thieves and patient theives are almost non-existant. People with patience can usually hold a job.

This is all common sense to anyone who enjoys lockpicking as a hobby. It is too bad that a lot of the public lives in fear, especially the lawmakers.

Anyway, practice, read, practice, read, practice, practice... ... ... ... ..

[reg]

*lol* I've had several thousand people watching me pick on the telly
I had a newspaper article the paper that is read by virtually everyone in my vicinity.

But as a member of the SSDeV I always make clear, that I only open locks that I own, or the owner gives me for the purpose. I've only ever had one neighbour ask me if I would help him if he locks in his keys again. I told them I would, but if the lock won't open I also know a local locksmith that won't take advantage of that situation (many cowboys in that business in germany usually 123-locksmiths or aaaa-locksmiths in the yellow pages).

Club rules are that you may help your neighbour but you must not charge for it. We don't want to take work from good locksmiths. Which is why some locksmiths support us giving old locks to us.

Cheers,

reg