Not a question concerning traffic laws, but I was wondering if it is illegal to possess lockpicks in California if you aren't a locksmith or dont have any sort of license. Thanks for any help.
Lock Picks?
- Thread starter McFly
- Start date
If you dont have a legitimate reason to possess them, they are "tools of a thief."
How about in Ohio? They are valuable tools if you are locked out. I keep one outside my house instead of a key.
McFly said:
Here are the penal code sections that apply; keep in mind simple possession is not necessarily going to be a violation, the circumstances surrounding the contact will be the deciding factor:
466. Every person having upon him or her in his or her possession a
picklock, crow, keybit, crowbar, screwdriver, vise grip pliers,
water-pump pliers, slidehammer, slim jim, tension bar, lock pick gun,
tubular lock pick, floor-safe door puller, master key, ceramic or
porcelain spark plug chips or pieces, or other instrument or tool
with intent feloniously to break or enter into any building, railroad
car, aircraft, or vessel, trailer coach, or vehicle as defined in
the Vehicle Code, or who shall knowingly make or alter, or shall
attempt to make or alter, any key or other instrument named above so
that the same will fit or open the lock of a building, railroad car,
aircraft, vessel, trailer coach, or vehicle as defined in the Vehicle
Code, without being requested to do so 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. Any of the structures mentioned in Section 459
shall be deemed to be a building within the meaning of this section.
466.1. Any person who knowingly and willfully sells or provides a
lock pick, a tension bar, a lock pick gun, a tubular lock pick, or a
floor-safe door puller, 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 the device was sold or provided
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.
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