4 ms·

> 5. Lockpick set. While I personally don't have a problem with it, I'm pretty sure such would get you into a lot of trouble in some jurisdictions. Carrying a

by korethr 12y ago

> 5. Lockpick set. While I personally don't have a problem with it, I'm pretty sure such would get you into a lot of trouble in some jurisdictions. Carrying a lockpick set everywhere with you everyday strikes me as risky.

k-mcgrady 12y ago
There are seriously laws preventing you from carrying a lock picking set?
- jmcdowell 12y ago
  I work in England but a co-worker here mentioned that the law says he can't carry them unless he had a very good reason e.g. he is a locksmith.
  - barrkel 12y ago
    "Going equipped" http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1968/60/section/25 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1968/60/section/25 (1) A person shall be guilty of an offence if, when not at his place of abode, he has with him any article for use in the course of or in connection with any burglary or theft. 2) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall on conviction on indictment be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years. 3) Where a person is charged with an offence under this section, proof that he had with him any article made or adapted for use in committing a burglary or theft shall be evidence that he had it with him for such use.
- 0x5f3759df-i 12y ago
  It varies from state to state.
- michaelt 12y ago
  Since the Theft act of 1968 the UK has had an offence of "Going equipped for stealing" [1] It can cover any otherwise-legal item (bolt cutters or gloves for example) if it can be shown it was for use in a theft; and with items that are made specifically for burglary or theft (a lock-snapping bar or a foil-lined shoplifting bag for example) possession alone is illegal. [1] http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1968/60/section/25 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1968/60/section/25
stilldavid 12y ago
Lock pick laws vary from state to state. In the vast majority of states including CA, NY and my own CO possession of a set alone is not enough to prove criminal intent. Of course IANAL and some municipalities might have their own laws. I usually carry a set in my bag and have not had any issues.
wyager 12y ago
It's fine in most US states. Only one state (I forget which) has a general proscription on lockpicks. In many states, carrying lockpicks while committing a crime is illegal, but otherwise it's fine.
- jdmichal 12y ago
  > In many states, carrying lockpicks while committing a crime is illegal, but otherwise it's fine. Is it any crime, or does it have to be something for which the lockpicks could have been a tool? Otherwise, I can imagine the news now: "Local man gets jail time for jay walking with lockpicks. More at 11."
  - hvs 12y ago
    If there is a crime near you involving a break-in and you are found to be carrying lockpicks, you will instantly be considered the #1 suspect.
- emodendroket 12y ago
  I mean, I suppose there's probably no law against walking around with a glass pipe either but I wouldn't recommend doing it for the hell of it.
jld 12y ago
I don't have an issue with picks, but why would one need them often enough to justify the weight/clutter of carrying them everywhere?
- gknoy 12y ago
  Maybe he has a hobby of picking locks (that he owns) for fun... except I don't see a lock in his bag.
ternaryoperator 12y ago
Carrying it might not be illegal, but using it starts to get dicey. Unless you're using it on a lock to a room where you're entitled to access (your home, for example), you're setting yourself for a lot of hassles. More so in foreign countries. I see no possible upside of carrying this with him and many possible downsides.
wyclif 12y ago
You're right. Kevin Poulsen was stopped and searched by cops at least once, possibly several times IIRC, and found to be carrying a lockpick set. It definitely can make things a lot worse because typically when a cop sees that, it triggers a lot of presumptions.

by korethr 12y ago

k-mcgrady 12y ago

There are seriously laws preventing you from carrying a lock picking set?

jmcdowell 12y ago
I work in England but a co-worker here mentioned that the law says he can't carry them unless he had a very good reason e.g. he is a locksmith.
- barrkel 12y ago
  "Going equipped" http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1968/60/section/25 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1968/60/section/25 (1) A person shall be guilty of an offence if, when not at his place of abode, he has with him any article for use in the course of or in connection with any burglary or theft. 2) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall on conviction on indictment be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years. 3) Where a person is charged with an offence under this section, proof that he had with him any article made or adapted for use in committing a burglary or theft shall be evidence that he had it with him for such use.
0x5f3759df-i 12y ago
It varies from state to state.
michaelt 12y ago
Since the Theft act of 1968 the UK has had an offence of "Going equipped for stealing" [1] It can cover any otherwise-legal item (bolt cutters or gloves for example) if it can be shown it was for use in a theft; and with items that are made specifically for burglary or theft (a lock-snapping bar or a foil-lined shoplifting bag for example) possession alone is illegal. [1] http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1968/60/section/25 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1968/60/section/25

stilldavid 12y ago

Lock pick laws vary from state to state. In the vast majority of states including CA, NY and my own CO possession of a set alone is not enough to prove criminal intent. Of course IANAL and some municipalities might have their own laws. I usually carry a set in my bag and have not had any issues.

wyager 12y ago

It's fine in most US states. Only one state (I forget which) has a general proscription on lockpicks. In many states, carrying lockpicks while committing a crime is illegal, but otherwise it's fine.

jdmichal 12y ago
> In many states, carrying lockpicks while committing a crime is illegal, but otherwise it's fine. Is it any crime, or does it have to be something for which the lockpicks could have been a tool? Otherwise, I can imagine the news now: "Local man gets jail time for jay walking with lockpicks. More at 11."
- hvs 12y ago
  If there is a crime near you involving a break-in and you are found to be carrying lockpicks, you will instantly be considered the #1 suspect.
emodendroket 12y ago
I mean, I suppose there's probably no law against walking around with a glass pipe either but I wouldn't recommend doing it for the hell of it.

jld 12y ago

I don't have an issue with picks, but why would one need them often enough to justify the weight/clutter of carrying them everywhere?

gknoy 12y ago
Maybe he has a hobby of picking locks (that he owns) for fun... except I don't see a lock in his bag.

ternaryoperator 12y ago

Carrying it might not be illegal, but using it starts to get dicey. Unless you're using it on a lock to a room where you're entitled to access (your home, for example), you're setting yourself for a lot of hassles. More so in foreign countries. I see no possible upside of carrying this with him and many possible downsides.

wyclif 12y ago

You're right. Kevin Poulsen was stopped and searched by cops at least once, possibly several times IIRC, and found to be carrying a lockpick set. It definitely can make things a lot worse because typically when a cop sees that, it triggers a lot of presumptions.