Legal
Owning Lockpick is regulated by the USA and also other countries around the world.
Here is some general information about lockpick ownership, but please check your local laws for more detailed information.
Global Laws
| Country | Possession |
| Australia | Legal; must show intent |
| Finland | Legal; must show intent |
| France | Legal; must show intent |
| Japan | Illegal; must be certified |
| The Netherlands | Legal; no restrictions |
| Poland | Illegal; must be certified |
| Sweden |
Legal |
USA Laws - State by State
Legal to own, must show intent: Possession of lock picking tools is legal; intent to break the law with the tools must be shown before possession of lock picking tools can be considered a crime.
Not illegal: There are no specific laws rendering illegal the sale, transfer, and/or possession of lock picking tools.
- West Virginia,
- Pennsylvania,
- North Dakota and
- Indiana
Prima facie evidence: The mere possession of lock picking tools is considered intent to break the law. It is illegal to possess lock picking tools in these states.
- Illinois - Bump keys illegal
- Mississippi
- Nevada
- Ohio
- Tennessee
- Virgini
| US State | Possession |
| Alabama | Legal; must show intent |
| Alaska | Legal; must show intent |
| Arizona | Legal; must show intent |
| Arkansas | Unknown, no specific laws |
| California | Legal; must show intent |
| Colorado | Legal; must show intent |
| Connecticut | Legal; must show intent |
| Delaware | Legal; must show intent |
| Florida | Legal; must show intent |
| Georgia | Legal; must show intent |
| Hawaii | Legal; must show intent |
| Idaho | Legal; must show intent |
| Illinois | Legal; must show intent, bump keys require Certification |
| Indiana | Unknown, no specific laws |
| Iowa | Legal; must show intent |
| Kansas | Unknown, no specific laws |
| Kentucky | Legal; must show intent |
| Louisiana | Legal; must show intent |
| Maine | Legal; must show intent |
| Maryland | Legal; must show intent |
| Massachusetts | Legal; must show intent |
| Michigan | Legal; must show intent |
| Minnesota | Legal; must show intent |
| Mississippi | Illegal; considered prima facie |
| Missouri | Legal; must show intent |
| Montana | Legal; must show intent (stated as "purpose to commit an offense") |
| Nebraska | Legal; must show intent |
| Nevada | Illegal; considered prima facie |
| New Hampshire | Legal; must show intent |
| New Jersey | Legal; must show intent (stated as "purpose so to use or employ") |
| New Mexico | Legal; must show intent |
| New York | Legal; must show intent |
| North Carolina | Legal; must show intent |
| North Dakota | Unknown; no specific laws |
| Ohio | Illegal; considered prima facie |
| Oklahoma | Legal; must show intent |
| Oregon | Legal; must show intent |
| Pennsylvania | Unknown; no specific laws |
| Rhode Island | Legal; must show intent |
| South Carolina | Legal; must show intent |
| South Dakota | Legal; must show intent |
| Tennessee | Legal; must show intent |
| Texas | Legal; must show intent |
| Utah | Legal; must show intent |
| Vermont | Legal; must show intent |
| Virginia | Illegal; considered prima facie |
| Washington | Legal; must show intent |
| Washington D.C. | Legal; must show intent |
| West Virginia | Unknown, no specific laws |
| Wisconsin | Legal; must show intent |
| Wyoming | Legal; must show intent |
WARNING
- Master the locks are not lawyers, this information should not be taken as legal advice. It represents the current laws as they are on the books at the time of our research. It is to be used as a guide and information purpose only.
- Many municipalities may have laws that are different from the state law.
- This research is based on lock picking tools and does not include: bump keys, auto keys, or other tools.
Reference: http://law.justia.com/, http://toool.us/laws.html , http://lockwiki.com/index.php/Legal_issues