Source: https://toool.us/laws.html
Timestamp: 2019-04-25 01:55:52+00:00

Document:
People all across the country (and indeed, around the world) are interested in lockpicking. However, often we here at TOOOL encounter people who explain that they "would love to participate in sport picking and learn more about locks" if it weren't for the fact that lockpicks are "illegal" where they live. Very, very often, this statement is fallacy. Misinformation about the laws concerning lockpicks abounds. Even police and other agents of the state may be misinformed on this topic. In the interest of making things clearer, we present the following details.
And if you are curious about lockpicks and air travel on any journey between the states, etc... one of our members did a marvelous job of putting together this terrific collection of all the various times when the TSA has repeatedly stated that lockpicks are acceptable in either checked or carry-on luggage. Many individuals find it helpful to print out a copy and have it with them in case they encounter an airport employee who is not familiar with the policy.
1. We are not lawyers and this page is not offering legal advice. It simply represents the current laws as they are on the books at the time of our lawyers' research efforts.
2. Many municipalities have laws that may be different from state law. Also, our legal team's research focused on picks in general, not specific other tools. Some regions have separate laws concerning bump keys, auto tryout keys, and other specialized equipment.
Alaska Statutes 2006 - Sec. 11.46.315. Possession of burglary tools.
(a) A person commits the crime of possession of burglary tools if the person possesses a burglary tool with intent to use or permit use of the tool in the commission of [a crime].
and intending to use or permit the use of such an item in the commission of a burglary.
California Penal Code - §s 466-469. Burglarious And Larcenous Instruments And Deadly Weapons.
§ 466. Every person having upon him or her...a picklock...or other instrument or tool with intent feloniously to break or enter into any building...or who shall knowingly make or alter...any key or other instrument...so that the same will fit or open the lock of a building...without being requested to do so by some person having the right to open the same, or who shall make...any instrument or thing...to be used in committing a misdemeanor or felony, is guilty of a misdemeanor.
§ 466.1. Any person who...sells or provides a lock pick, a tension bar...to another, whether or not for compensation, shall obtain the name, address, telephone number, if any, date of birth, and driver’s license number or identification number, if any, of the person to whom the device is sold or provided. This information, together with the date...and the signature of the person to whom the device was sold or provided, shall be set forth on a bill of sale or receipt. A copy of each bill of sale or receipt shall be retained for one year and shall be open to inspection by any peace officer during business hours. Any person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.
Colorado Revised Statutes - § 18-4-205(1). Possession of burglary tools. A person commits possession of burglary tools if he possesses any explosive, tool, instrument, or other article adapted, designed, or commonly used for committing or facilitating the commission of an offense involving forcible entry into premises or theft by a physical taking, and intends to use the thing possessed, or knows that some person intends to use the thing possessed, in the commission of such an offense.
General Statutes of Connecticut - § 53a-106. Manufacturing or possession of burglar's tools: Class A misdemeanor. (a) A person is guilty of manufacturing or possession of burglar's tools when he manufactures or has in his possession any tool, instrument or other thing adapted, designed or commonly used for advancing or facilitating offenses involving unlawful entry into premises, or offenses involving forcible breaking of safes or other containers or depositories of property, under circumstances manifesting an intent to use or knowledge that some person intends to use the same in the commission of an offense of such character.
District of Columbia Official Code - § 22-2501 - Possession of implements of crime; penalty. No person shall have in his or her possession in the District any instrument, tool, or implement for picking locks or pockets, with the intent to use such instrument, tool, or implement to commit a crime.
(3) Offenses involving forcible breaking or opening of safes, vending machines, automatic teller machines, lock boxes, gates, doors or any container or depositories of property.
Georgia Code - § 16-7-20(a) A person commits the offense of possession of tools for the commission of crime when he has in his possession any tool, explosive, or other device commonly used in the commission of burglary, theft, or other crime with the intent to make use thereof in the commission of a crime.
Iowa Code - § 713.7 - Possession of burglar's tools. Any person who possesses any key, tool, instrument, device or any explosive, with the intent to use it in the perpetration of a burglary, commits an aggravated misdemeanor.
Idaho Statutes - § 18-1406 - Possession of Burglarious Instruments. Every person having upon him, or in his possession, a picklock, crow, key, bit, or other instrument or tool, with intent feloniously to break or enter into any building or who shall knowingly make or alter, or shall attempt to make or alter any key or other instrument above named, so that the same will fit or open the lock of a building, without being requested so to do by some person having the right to open the same, or who shall make, alter, or repair, any instrument or thing, knowing, or having reason to believe, that it is intended to be used in committing a misdemeanor or felony, is guilty of a misdemeanor.
Legal - must show intent. Bump keys are written into the law specifically.
, railroad car, or any depository designed for the safekeeping of property, or any part thereof, with intent to enter any such place and with intent to commit therein a felony or theft.
"Lock bumping" means a lock picking technique for opening a pin tumbler lock using a specially crafted bump key.
(b) A person commits the offense of unlawful sale of burglary tools when he or she knowingly sells or transfers any key, including a key designed for lock bumping, or a lock pick specifically manufactured or altered for use in breaking into a building, house trailer, watercraft, aircraft, motor vehicle, railroad car, or any depository designed for the safekeeping of property, or any part of that property.
Illinois infers from the possession of a key designed for lock bumping an intent to commit a felony.
Legal - must show intent. Fingerprinting is written into the law specifically.
or other appliances believed to be used solely for criminal purposes.
Thus, there is no statute prohibiting possession, but a possessor who is arrested (for whatever reason) is subject to being fingerprinted.
Kentucky Revised Statutes - § 511.050 - Possession of burglar's tools.(1) A person is guilty of possession of burglar's tools when he possesses any tool, instrument or other thing adapted, designed or commonly used for committing or facilitating the commission of an offense involving forcible entry into premises or theft by a physical taking under circumstances which leave no reasonable doubt as to his:(a) Intention to use the same in the commission of an offense of such character; or(b) Knowledge that some other person intends to use the same in the commission of an offense of such character.
shall not apply to sheriffs and their deputies, state and city police, constables and town marshals, or persons vested with police power when in the actual discharge of official duties. These provisions shall not apply to sheriffs and their deputies and state and city police who are not actually discharging their official duties, provided that such persons are full time, active, and certified by the Council on Peace Officer Standards and Training and have on their persons valid identification as duly commissioned law enforcement officers.
shall not apply to any law enforcement officer who is retired from full-time active law enforcement service with at least twelve years service upon retirement, nor shall it apply to any enforcement officer of the office of state parks, in the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism who is retired from active duty as an enforcement officer, provided that such retired officers have on their persons valid identification as retired law enforcement officers, which identification shall be provided by the entity which employed the officer prior to his or her public retirement. The retired law enforcement officer must be qualified annually in the use of firearms by the Council on Peace Officer Standards and Training and have proof of such qualification. This exception shall not apply to such officers who are medically retired based upon any mental impairment.
shall not apply to active or retired reserve or auxiliary law enforcement officers qualified annually by the Council on Peace Officer Standards and Training and who have on their person valid identification as active or retired reserve law or auxiliary municipal police officers. The active or retired reserve or auxiliary municipal police officer shall be qualified annually in the use of firearms by the Council on Peace Officer Standards and Training and have proof of such certification.
(d) [Prohibited] - Possession of burglar's tool. - 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.
(a) Prohibited - Possession of burglar's tool.- 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 crime involving the breaking and entering of a motor vehicle.
B. Transfers or possesses with the intent to transfer any device described in paragraph A that that person knows is designed or primarily useful for the commission of a crime described in paragraph A.
Missouri Revised Statutes - § 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.
Possessor may have to counter prima facie evidence of intent, but only if their picks are "concealed"
. The carrying concealed about one's person, or in one's baggage, implements, tools or instruments peculiarly adapted to aid in the commission of burglary, larceny or robbery, shall be prima facie evidence of intention to use them for such purpose.
(3) there have been cases of people tried for possessing concealed weapons when a gun was partially visible under the seat of a car.
(1) Prima facie evidence authorizes jury finding of guilt; ROBINSON v. STATE.
(2) When a prima facie case is made for the State, the defendant must then present evidence in rebuttal; SYKES, v. STATE; HICKS v. STATE.
(3) Effort must be made by defendant to overcome the prima facie case; JONES v. STATE.
Montana Code Annotated - § 45-6-205 - Possession of burglary tools.(1) A person commits the offense of possession of burglary tools when he knowingly possesses any key, tool, instrument, device, or explosive suitable for breaking into an occupied structure or vehicle or any depository designed for the safekeeping of property or any part thereof with the purpose to commit an offense therewith.
Locksmith services. - Repairing, rebuilding, rekeying, repinning, servicing, adjusting, or installing locks, mechanical or electronic locking devices, access control devices, egress control devices, vaults, and safe-deposit boxes for compensation or other consideration, including services performed by safe technicians.
a salesperson while demonstrating the use of locksmith tools to licensed locksmiths.
North Carolina does not criminalize possession, but lockpicking demonstrations in that state should always be free so that they never fall within the definition of "locksmith services." Locksmiths must be licensed, and there is a Locksmith Licensing Board.
Nebraska Revised Statutes - § 28-508 - Possession of burglar's tools; penalty.(1) A person commits the offense of possession of burglar's tools if:(a) He knowingly possesses any explosive, tool, instrument, or other article adapted, designed, or commonly used for committing or facilitating the commission of an offense involving forcible entry into premises or theft by a physical taking; and (b) He intends to use the explosive, tool, instrument, or article, or knows some person intends ultimately to use it, in the commission of an offense of the nature described in subdivision (1)(a) of this section.
knowingly has in his possession, an engine, machine, tool, or implement adapted and designed for cutting through, forcing or breaking open a building, room, vault, safe, or other depository, in order to steal therefrom money or other property, or to commit any other crime, knowing the same to be adapted and designed for the purpose aforesaid, with intent to use or employ or allow the same to be used or employed for such purpose.
or offenses involving forcible entry into premises is guilty of an offense.
New Mexico Statutes and Court Rules - § 30-16-5 - Possession of burglary tools. Possession of burglary tools consists of having in the person's possession a device or instrumentality designed or commonly used for the commission of burglary and under circumstances evincing an intent to use the same in the commission of burglary. Whoever commits possession of burglary tools is guilty of a fourth degree felony.
Nevada Revised Statutes - § 205.080 - Possession of instrument with burglarious intent; making, alteration or repair of instrument for committing offense; penalty.
1. Every person who makes or mends or causes to be made or mended, or has in his possession in the day or nighttime, any engine, machine, tool, false key, picklock, bit, nippers or implement adapted, designed or commonly used for the commission of burglary, invasion of the home, larceny or other crime, under circumstances evincing an intent to use or employ, or allow the same to be used or employed in the commission of a crime, or knowing that the same is intended to be so used, shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
2. The possession thereof except by a mechanic, artificer or tradesman at and in his established shop or place of business, open to public view, shall be prima facie evidence that such possession was had with intent to use or employ or allow the same to be used or employed in the commission of a crime.
. It is consistent with all the constitutional protections of accused men to throw on them the burden of proving facts peculiarly within their knowledge and hidden from discovery by the Government." COX v. STATE.
could find guilt or the presumed fact beyond a reasonable doubt...." BRACKEEN v. STATE.
, under circumstances evincing an intent to use or knowledge that some person intends to use the same in the commission of an offense of such character.
Ohio Code - 2923.24. Possessing criminal tools.
(A) No person shall possess or have under the person's control any substance, device, instrument, or article, with purpose to use it criminally.
"Prima facie evidence means evidence which is sufficient to establish a fact, unless rebutted, and that standing alone and unexplained would support the conclusion for which it is introduced;" STATE v. HICKS.
Oklahoma Statutes - § 21-1442 - Possession of certain tools by persons previously convicted of burglary. Any person who has been previously convicted of the crime of burglary who has in his possession, custody or concealed about his person, or transports or causes to be transported, any combination of three (3) or more of the following tools: Sledge hammer, pry bar, punches, chisel, bolt cutters, with the intent to use or employ, or allow the same to be used or employed, in the commission of a crime, or knowing that the tools are to be used in the commission of a crime, shall be guilty of a felony.
Tools in a sack are "concealed." HUNNICUTT, v. STATE.
Statute applies only to persons previously convicted of burglary possessing any combination of three (3) or more of the following tools: sledgehammer, pry bar, punches, chisel, bolt cutters.
tool, instrument or other article adapted or designed for committing or facilitating a forcible entry into premises or theft by a physical taking.
Rhode Island Code - § 11-8-7 - Making, repairing, or possessing burglar tools - Whoever makes or mends, or does any work connected with the making or reparation of, or has in his or her possession any engine, machine, tool, false key, pick lock, nippers, or implement of any kind adapted and designed for cutting through, forcing, breaking open, or entering a building, room, vault, safe, or other depository, in order to steal from it money or other property, or to commit any other crime, knowing the equipment to be adapted and designed for this purpose, with intent to use or employ, or allow the equipment to be used or employed, for this purpose, shall be imprisoned not more than ten (10) years.
South Carolina Code of Laws - § 16-11-20 - Making, mending or possessing tools or other implements capable of being used in crime. § 16-11-30. Possession of master keys and non-owner key sets. It is unlawful for a person to make or mend, cause to be made or mended, or have in his possession any engine, machine, tool, false key, picklock, bit, nippers, nitroglycerine, dynamite cap, coil or fuse, steel wedge, drill, tap-pin, or other implement or thing adapted, designed, or commonly used for the commission of burglary, larceny, safecracking, or other crime, under circumstances evincing an intent to use, employ, or allow the same to be used or employed in the commission of a crime, or knowing that the same are intended to be so used.
South Dakota Codified Laws - § 22-32-17 - Possession of weapon or tools with intent to commit burglary--Felony. Any person who has in his or her possession any weapon or instrument specifically designed or adapted for the commission of a burglary or any explosive useful for the commission of a burglary, with the intent to commit a burglary, is guilty of a Class 6 felony.
Laws targeting rogue & scammer locksmiths are broadly-written and criminalize possession of lockpicks by unlicensed persons if said persons are seeking to earn money by defrauding the public.
Use and demonstration of lockpicks appears to be legal if not done for profit.
"The purpose of this act is to provide uniform procedures and qualifications throughout Tennessee for licensing and regulation of locksmiths, to protect the public of Tennessee by prohibiting the unauthorized use of lock picking, safe opening, and car opening tools by making it illegal for persons convicted of certain crimes to obtain or possess such tools, and to protect the safety and security of persons and property by assuring that individuals or companies offering locksmithing services to the general public are competent in locksmithing services"
§ 5 - (g) No person who is not licensed under this act shall possess, use, sell, or offer to sell any code book, lock picking tool, manipulation key, try-out key, safe opening tool, or car opening tool. (h) No person shall sell, offer to sell, or give to any person not licensed under this act any code book, lock picking tool, manipulation key, try-out key, safe opening tool, or car opening tool.
(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.
Utah Code - 76-6-205 - Manufacture or possession of instrument for burglary or theft. Any person who manufactures or possesses any instrument, tool, device, article, or other thing adapted, designed, or commonly used in advancing or facilitating the commission of any offense under circumstances manifesting an intent to use or knowledge that some person intends to use the same in the commission of a burglary or theft is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.
Code of Virginia - § 18.2-94 - Possession of burglarious tools, etc. If any person has in his possession any tools, implements or outfit, with intent to commit burglary, robbery or larceny, upon conviction thereof he shall be guilty of a Class 5 felony. The possession of such burglarious tools, implements or outfit by any person other than a licensed dealer, shall be prima facie evidence of an intent to commit burglary, robbery or larceny.
Revised Code of Washington - § 9A.52.060 - Making or having burglar tools.(1) Every person who shall make or mend or cause to be made or mended, or have in his possession, any engine, machine, tool, false key, pick lock, bit, nippers, or implement adapted, designed, or commonly used for the commission of burglary under circumstances evincing an intent to use or employ, or allow the same to be used or employed in the commission of a burglary, or knowing that the same is intended to be so used, shall be guilty of making or having burglar tools.
The Wisconsin Statutes and Annotations - § 943.12 - Possession of burglarious tools. Whoever has in personal possession any device or instrumentality intended, designed or adapted for use in breaking into any depository designed for the safekeeping of any valuables or into any building or room, with intent to use such device or instrumentality to break into a depository, building or room, and to steal therefrom, is guilty of a Class I felony.
No statute; bill introduced in 2010 would make possession with intent illegal; bill died in committee.
Wyoming Statutes Annotated - § 6-3-304 - Possession of burglar's tools; penalties. (a) A person is guilty of possession of burglar's tools if he possesses an explosive, tool, instrument or other article adapted, designed or commonly used for committing or facilitating the commission of a crime involving forcible entry into buildings or occupied structures with intent to use the article possessed in the commission of such a crime.

References: § 466

§ 466
 § 18
 § 53
 § 22
 § 16
 § 713
 § 18
 § 511
 § 569
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 § 45
 § 28
 § 30
 § 205
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 § 21
 v. 
 § 11
 § 16
 § 16
 § 22

§ 5
 § 18
 § 9
 § 943
 § 6