4 ms·

Our local hackerspace in Chicago hosts TOOOL meetings, which got me hooked a couple of months ago. I heartily recommend this book: http://www.amazon.com/Pract

by Benjor 15y ago

Our local hackerspace in Chicago hosts TOOOL meetings, which got me hooked a couple of months ago. I heartily recommend this book: http://www.amazon.com/Practical-Lock-Picking-Penetration-ebook/dp/B004Q9TZSY http://www.amazon.com/Practical-Lock-Picking-Penetration-ebo... I read the first half in a day, and was picking locks successfully the next day. Just remember the golden rules: (1) only pick locks you own, (2) don't pick locks you depend on (they're easy to break.) If you look at TOOOL's site, they sell a nice beginner toolkit for $30. Love it.

thejteam 15y ago
Before you order a toolkit, also take a quick look at your state's laws. In some states, Maryland for example, it is against the law for anybody other than a professional locksmith to possess lockpicking tools. (Maryland also doesn't define what a professional locksmith is... but that's a side issue)
- molsongolden 15y ago
  Thanks for this. I just opened up the website to look at toolkits but I am in Maryland. Looks like I might be throwing together a bootstrap locksmithing business template.
- scdc 15y ago
  Do you any more detail on this? I found this via lockwiki.com for Maryland -- it says, "A person may not possess a burglar's tool with the intent to use or allow the use of the burglar's tool in the commission of a violation of this subtitle. " IANAL, but it seems like simple possession is allowed. But maybe my reference is not up to date. http://law.justia.com/codes/maryland/2010/criminal-law/title-6/subtitle-2/6-205/ http://law.justia.com/codes/maryland/2010/criminal-law/title...
  - thejteam 15y ago
    The problem is the word "intent". Generally, possession in the home is okay but if you take it out of the home it can be considered prima facie evidence of intent. It is highly dependent on the mood of the state's attorney's office in your jurisdiction. Also, I looked at lockwiki.com and from the looks of it shipping the tools to a non-dealer is illegal anyway, although in practice it is never caught.

by Benjor 15y ago

thejteam 15y ago

Before you order a toolkit, also take a quick look at your state's laws. In some states, Maryland for example, it is against the law for anybody other than a professional locksmith to possess lockpicking tools. (Maryland also doesn't define what a professional locksmith is... but that's a side issue)

molsongolden 15y ago
Thanks for this. I just opened up the website to look at toolkits but I am in Maryland. Looks like I might be throwing together a bootstrap locksmithing business template.
scdc 15y ago
Do you any more detail on this? I found this via lockwiki.com for Maryland -- it says, "A person may not possess a burglar's tool with the intent to use or allow the use of the burglar's tool in the commission of a violation of this subtitle. " IANAL, but it seems like simple possession is allowed. But maybe my reference is not up to date. http://law.justia.com/codes/maryland/2010/criminal-law/title-6/subtitle-2/6-205/ http://law.justia.com/codes/maryland/2010/criminal-law/title...
- thejteam 15y ago
  The problem is the word "intent". Generally, possession in the home is okay but if you take it out of the home it can be considered prima facie evidence of intent. It is highly dependent on the mood of the state's attorney's office in your jurisdiction. Also, I looked at lockwiki.com and from the looks of it shipping the tools to a non-dealer is illegal anyway, although in practice it is never caught.