A felony for possession in Iowa?

[gvlocksmith]

Does possession of an instrument which could be used to commit a crime constitute intent to commit a crime?

If possessing a lockpick set gets you in trouble for intent to make an illegal entry, then we should take the logic of that to its own conclusion. Anybody bearing a firearm does so only with intent to kill. Anybody who owns a vehicle does so because of their intent to run some stupid sunival off the road. Having a box of matches in your pocket implies intent to burn everything down. Arrest them all, deport them to Abu Ghraib.

So, the government is way too huge, and there are so many, many, many terrible statutory laws on the books.

Help stop government corruption! www.Badnarik.org

[hung82000]

In Minnesota, possession must be accompanied by intent. For instance if you have a pick set and a set of blueprints for a building that you have no rights of access to, they could possibly build a case against you. If you're found inside a building that you have no right to, they're definitely also going to charge you for holding the tools. If you've told people that you were going to break into a building and they find you holding the tools they will probably charge you for possession. The general rule of thumb in the US from state codes that I have read seems to be don't pick any locks you don't have access to and you'll be ok. But to be safe from an officer who doesn't know what they're doing, don't carry your picks out and open all the time.

[Mad Mick]

Help stop government corruption! www.Badnarik.org

I was going to say that this can be considered the discussion of politics and should not be regarded, but Rule #10 states that this only applies to the General chat forum...

[Varjeal]

Rule edited.

[Xerty]

The only thing that's prohibited in Sweden about lockpicks is to sell them, you need special permission for that.

The law of the Swedish kingdom about proffesional selling of lockpicks: (in swedish)
http://www.notisum.se/rnp/sls/lag/19790357.htm

It's basically that you can't sell picks if you're not reliable, and not to persons that 'could be supposed to misuse them'.
There's no other regulations about lockpicks besides this.

By the way, the swedish sentences 'to pick a lock' and 'to worship a lock' are exactly alike, both in spelling and pronounciation, perhaps there's something meant there?

As previosly said, sweden rocks.

[sivlogkart]

I know you are talking about the US, but once in the UK I was stopped by a confused policeman looking for someone else and he found a lockpick set. He said what are these then! I told him I would rather not discuss my medical problems in public and he have them back very quickly. I have no idea what he had imagined.

Normallly I carry a lockpick jackknife and most people would not open this and think it is just a knife, and a small one at that.

KJ

[NDEFreak]

I would go with previous suggestions of attending a basic Locksmithing course, obtaining your certification and keeping a copy of the appropriate documentation ( the certificate ) along with your picks and a small assortment of tools and cylinders in a small box ( size and weight issues may restrict personal / non-vehicular transportation ), a box resembling a very small tackle box and leave the box in the boot / trunk of the car whilst in transit.

What does everyone else think? Just my opinion. I am from New South Wales in Australia and the laws here border on draconian and in some instances are contradictory. In the state that I currently reside, you are required to have a state issued Security Industry License.

To get this licence, you need to be vetted ( cleared ) by a Police background check ( approx. 3 times ) at every point in your early career ( starting your college training, applying for a job at a company and applying for the licence ). Along with the background check, they take your fingerprints and check them against the record database aswell. Only then are you permitted to buy lock related tools. However, having said all that, if I decide to go to the pub of an evening and I have a set of my picks on my person and I get stopped and searched for any reason, then I am in for some "on-the-spot" questioning, unless I can explain to the constabulatory that I am "on-call" or the like they will tell me to lock the tools up and leave them in the service van unless in use.

Please tell me if I am rambling on and / or breaking a "dont waste space" rule!

[devnill]

As i recall, the mit touches base on the legal issue, and suggests to carry a card with the local laws printed on it. with the number of laws police need to remember, its logial that they cant remember stuff like this because its pretty uncommon.

[00bluebeast]

Im from Iowa too cedar rapids specifically, and its only an aggravated misdemeanor and thats if your convicted. If you have a legitimate use chances are youll be fine. Good luck.

[Pandawdy]

Anyone know if it's legal or illegal to carry picks in Kansas?

I know that I can buy picks in Kansas. There is at least one shop in downtown Wichita that will sell them to anyone.

[Tom53]

In Iowa if you have a conviction for burglary, or are in the process of committing a burglary and are stopped you can be arrested for having almost any kind of tools. Screw drivers, hammers, crowbars, lock pick sets or anything else that could be used to gain entry to a building. That is possession of burglars tools.

If you have no convictions, and have some kind of ID or other documentation that you are a locksmith, taking locksmith courses, apprenticing for a locksmith or whatever there should be no problem what so ever.

[Reallunacy]

I'm not saying the police are trying to get one over on you, but typically the police are not who you ask to see if something is illegal, unless of course they can provide you with the code for the law so you can search and verify it. Some officers don't know or have been instructed incorrectly or through more ignorance. For instance, a friend recently got pulled over on his scooter because he was on a road with the posted speed being 45. The officer thought that was illegal, when in fact the law stated that it was illegal for him to drive it on a road with the posted MINIMUM speed limit is 40 or higher. I would try and find a lawyer that would have knowledge in the field or a locksmith that can show you the law.

As for the increased charge for being in a car, a lot of states have been adding charges to the books that increase penalties when a car is used in the commission of a crime. Typically these laws are only enforceable when you either have committed the crime or there is real evidence to show intent of the the commission of a crime. Obviously the laws may actually be as stated in your location, but I would spend more time researching and print out all applicable code and keep it nearby in the event an officer approaches you about it. Obviously if you need to show them the laws, be extremely polite.

[the picker]

i am in the atlantic area of ia and have wondered the same for quit awhile this helps allot thank u much.

[Louis_Traum]

I have another legal question. What if you come across a car that you don't own and there is a child locked inside and the temperature is very hot. Of course first you should call the police or the fire department, but in the meantime, if you're worried about the safety of the child, would it be illegal to pop the lock on that car for the safety of the child?

[MacGyver101]

If I were honestly concerned about the health of the child, I'd be reaching for something to break the window with, not my pick set. (Just my $0.02.)