Posted: 1/1/2010 6:51:43 PM EDT
| There is a thread going on in the SF right now about how useful a skill basic lock picking can be. Someone over there also said that it can be illegal in certain states to posses lock picks unless you are a licensed lock smith. Does anyone here know what the MO laws regarding this are? I want to NOT break any laws by learning something new. |
I looked up some of this info a few years ago when I used to....be interested...in this sort of thing. 
Missouri Missouri Revised Statutes - Section 569.180.1 - Possession of burglar's tools. 1. A person commits the crime of possession of burglar's tools if he possesses any tool, instrument or other article adapted, designed or commonly used for committing or facilitating offenses involving forcible entry into premises, with a purpose to use or knowledge that some person has the purpose of using the same in making an unlawful forcible entry into a building or inhabitable structure or a room thereof. 2. Possession of burglar's tools is a class D felony. It's kind of a pain to even buy the kits. Most of the time you have to be able to prove your a locksmith or LEO. You have to prove malicious intent to get the felony charge. I HAVE HEARD...that you can make most of the tools you'd need to do it with...rakes...tension wrench...etc. |
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Here's all you need...
make a hole big enough... ...for this cut around hinges, dead bolts, door knobs... |
| Online you can get the kits without any paperwork, but I don't want to be a felon by simply owning them. It scares me that the .gov cam make me a felon just for owning tools. It's not my fault that some asshat uses them for bad things. Maybe Duke can shed some legal light on the subject. Paging Duke Nukem!! Help clarify this if you can please, if not, oh well... |
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Quoted:
Here's all you need... make a hole big enough... ...for this cut around hinges, dead bolts, door knobs... I'd go for this setup 
plus 
plus 
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Yeah, not all places ask for any proof, they normally have some disclaimer saying that you should know the local laws.
Obviously you can buy other "lock picking" tools....crowbars...slim jims...bolt cutters. It call comes down to intent, and what they can PROVE your intent is. That's why it's a PITA. With all that said...it's a fun hobby. As long as you understand the slight risk...you can have a lot of fun. I think you should pick up a book on lock picking and get a few locks. Cheap padlocks are super easy and great to learn on. On the same level are low end house door locks and dead bolts. Your "goal" will be the 5-6 pin tumbler locks. Once you get them down you can start on wafer tumblers. Then it's on to locks with security pins. None of these are particularly tough once you understand how the lock works, and what it feels like as you're "picking" it. There are tons of different styles of locks. My original stuff was mostly made from old bobby pins trimmed to the "standard" pick shapes (half diamond, C rake, ball, S rake, and some hooks) |
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I know a guy whose probation was revoked for felony possession tools of burglary, in Henry County. Went to jail for a year, including the back time on his probation. I could have gotten him a better deal probably, but he couldn't afford to hire a lawyer so I just watched the show. Prosecutor had a hard-on for him anyway, he really wanted to give the guy some jail time (he had been skating by for awhile, living dangerously for sure) and this was as good an excuse as anything else. So it CAN happen.
I generally place lockpicking tools in the same category as automatic knives and knuckle dusters. Are they illegal under state law? Yeah. Do lots of people have them anyway? Oh yeah. Are you likely to get busted and go to jail just for that? Probably not. But if they are looking at you anyway and piling on the charges, it could be one more thing on your plate that your defense lawyer will have to deal with. The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based on arfcom posts by a guy who just shut down his law office and is looking for a career change. |
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I have had and used Lock Picks and vehicle lockout kits since the late 80s...
Never had anyone say BOO, I have had employers ask me to bring them in to unlock tool cabinets missing keys, File cabinets, at least ONE door... Ages ago I took a locksmithing course too. Oh the Vehicle LOCKOUT kit is always in my truck... Behind the drivers seat... the only time I needed it was when MY keys were locked in my truck! 5.56 cleaning rod to the rescue! |
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Quoted:
I know a guy whose probation was revoked for felony possession tools of burglary, in Henry County. Went to jail for a year, including the back time on his probation. I could have gotten him a better deal probably, but he couldn't afford to hire a lawyer so I just watched the show. Prosecutor had a hard-on for him anyway, he really wanted to give the guy some jail time (he had been skating by for awhile, living dangerously for sure) and this was as good an excuse as anything else. So it CAN happen. I generally place lockpicking tools in the same category as automatic knives and knuckle dusters. Are they illegal under state law? Yeah. Do lots of people have them anyway? Oh yeah. Are you likely to get busted and go to jail just for that? Probably not. But if they are looking at you anyway and piling on the charges, it could be one more thing on your plate that your defense lawyer will have to deal with. The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based on arfcom posts by a guy who just shut down his law office and is looking for a career change. So when I read the blue part it sped up in my head just like they do on the commercials
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