Are Lock Pick Sets Illegal

In Western Europe, such as Germany or the Netherlands, owning a lock pick set is legal, but using it on someone else’s lock without their permission is not allowed. The mere possession of lock picking tools, such as the elite 3 lock pick set, does not constitute a crime in most cases. The law primarily focuses on intent: “possession of tools with the intent to commit a crime” is what determines legality. In many regions, including Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, the laws regarding lockpicking are quite similar.

At first glance, lockpicking might seem simple. Watching videos on platforms like YouTube, it often appears as though locks can be opened effortlessly, one after another.

Just poking around in the lock, and voila – it’s open. So why are these lockpicking tools sold legally in Germany and other Western European countries?

On YouTube, we only see the sensational success stories. It’s far more exciting to show how quickly a lock can be picked rather than showing hours, days, or even weeks of struggle.

You might become familiar with a lock over time. Perhaps it takes two weeks to open on the first attempt, and after much practice, you can pick it in 10 seconds. However, this doesn’t mean you can pick every lock of the same model that quickly.

Lockpicking is, in most cases, much harder than people think.

Action movies and viral YouTube videos give a distorted image of how easy it is to pick locks. Many locks, especially pin tumbler locks, are much more vulnerable to other methods like bump keys than they are to traditional lockpicking techniques.

Lockpicking is often seen as a sport, comparable to solving puzzles, but with an added challenge: locks are specifically designed to be unsolvable! That’s what makes it so exciting when you do finally open one!

Where is Lockpicking Illegal?

  • Hungary
  • Japan
  • Poland
  • United States: Specifically prohibited in Nevada, Ohio, and Virginia.

In most countries, the possession of lockpicks, lock pick sets, or other lock picking tools is not regulated. Whether these tools are used for criminal purposes or legitimate reasons depends entirely on the user’s intent.

For example, in the United States, there are specific state laws, like the California Penal Code, that could classify the possession of lockpicking tools as *prima facie* evidence of criminal intent, depending on the circumstances.

Germany

There are no specific laws against lockpicking in Germany, meaning it is legal as long as you have the owner’s consent. Lock pick sets and bump keys can be freely bought and sold. Additionally, many clubs and organizations in Germany treat lockpicking as a sport, and it is even a popular element in Geocaching. Workshops on lockpicking are often offered at Geocaching events across the country.

Austria

Similar to Germany, owning lockpicking tools in Austria is legal, provided you can offer a reasonable explanation for having them and are not suspected of possessing these tools for criminal purposes.

Switzerland

In Switzerland, lockpicking is also legal, as long as no criminal intent is suspected. Switzerland has a strong lockpicking community, with many hobbyists and professionals using it as a tool for better security awareness.

France

In France, owning lockpicking tools is legal, but possession without proper justification might be viewed suspiciously by law enforcement. For example, if found with lockpicks and no clear explanation, it could lead to an investigation under suspicion of possessing burglary tools.

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, particularly in England and Wales, carrying tools that can be used for burglary or theft, including lockpicks, can result in criminal charges. Under certain conditions, possession of these tools could result in up to three years in prison, especially if the tools are associated with an intent to commit burglary or break into a building.

New Zealand

Lockpicking tools are legal in New Zealand, but carrying them with the intent to use them for unlawful purposes can result in serious penalties, including up to three years in prison.

Australia

Similarly, in Australia, possessing lockpicks is legal, but they can be classified as burglary tools if found in conjunction with other suspicious circumstances, potentially leading to legal trouble.

Disclaimer: We are not lawyers, nor are we legal experts. This article provides a basic understanding of lockpicking laws based on our interpretation. Laws can change, and we strive to keep this page updated, but please ensure you verify the latest regulations.

4 comments

  1. Grappig dat toch veel landen lockpicking als crimineel zien. Beetje te veel films gekeken?

  2. eindelijk een goede referentie om aan alle twijfelers te tonen

  3. Niet geheel onbelangrijk voor wanneer men wilt beginnen met de sport. top!

  4. Nicht überall sind sie so aufgeschlossen wie in Deutschland, gut zu wissen, bevor man in den Urlaub fährt.

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