The simple tool that can open most US stores

The Most Significant Security Flaw in North America
newtboysays...

They should subpoena his customer list. He’s selling burglary tools, and not just to first responders (should be limited to actual police/fire departments and locksmiths IMO)….and putting out videos describing how to break into businesses.
If there’s a sudden rash of business break ins with no door damage he should be charged as an accomplice. I can’t believe he sells multiple burglary tools on his site, I thought he just proved how bad most padlocks are, I never saw him do a breaking and entering how to before. Yikes!
It should be noted, just getting caught with burglary tools can be a 6 month sentence in California.

eric3579says...

He's not selling "burglary tools" anymore than Home Depot is, but i know what you're saying. It sure doesn't feel right for him to sell what he does.

By California law it's no more a burglary tool then a screwdriver is. Intent to break in must be proven for the tool to be deemed illegal to be in possession of. At least that's how i read it. California Penal Code 466

newtboysaid:

It should be noted, just getting caught with burglary tools can be a 6 month sentence in California.

BSRsays...

I don't know for a fact but I suspect that you may have to show proof that you are legally allowed to purchase such items. After all "lawyer" is in his title.

My dad showed me how to pick locks when I was 10.

In my 3rd year in high school I got an "A" in English class because the teacher needed to get into a filing cabinet and didn't have the key with her. I told her I could open it but she didn't believe me so I made an deal with her. An "A" in English to pop the lock.

That "A" sure did stand out next to all those "B's" on my report card.

If you've been enticed to be a burglar then that may be a decision you will have to live with.

His videos show that if you want to safeguard your valuables you might want to avoid certain security methods and why so.

newtboysaid:

It should be noted, just getting caught with burglary tools can be a 6 month sentence in California.

newtboysays...

I would hope so, but saw no evidence of that on his website.
I taught myself to pick locks because my brother liked to lock me out of the house when I was little. Good thing we didn’t have deadbolts back then. I doubt I could still do it, it’s been 40 years or so since I had to.
I like his “this is why this lock sucks” videos, but always thought there a bit of “how to steal anything protected by this lock” built into them. Selling tools to defeat commercial locks seems over the line to me, but it’s just, like, my opinion, man. 😉

BSRsaid:

I don't know for a fact but I suspect that you may have to show proof that you are legally allowed to purchase such items. After all "lawyer" is in his title.

My dad showed me how to pick locks when I was 10.

In my 3rd year in high school I got an "A" in English class because the teacher needed to get into a filing cabinet and didn't have the key with her. I told her I could open it but she didn't believe me so I made an deal with her. An "A" in English to pop the lock.

That "A" sure did stand out next to all those "B's" on my report card.

If you've been enticed to be a burglar then that may be a decision you will have to live with.

His videos show that if you want to safeguard your valuables you might want to avoid certain security methods and why so.

eric3579says...

My understanding is that it is legal for anyone to purchase and possess lock picking tools. Seller does have to obtain info regarding purchaser, but just basic stuff.

Here are the California codes regarding such tools.
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?chapter=3.&part=1.&lawCode=PEN&title=13.

BSRsaid:

I don't know for a fact but I suspect that you may have to show proof that you are legally allowed to purchase such items. After all "lawyer" is in his title.

newtboysays...

Unless they have intent to use them, or have knowledge that that’s what they’re made for, no? That’s what it says in the law, isn’t it?

“ 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, bump key, 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. ”

I have this opinion, (that police (and some prosecutors) will ascribe intent to anyone in possession of any tools, even those with other uses, so they wouldn’t hesitate to do the same for tools that are clearly purpose built breaking and entering tools having been advertised as such and with no other use,) because I watched a friend be arrested in the 80’s for having a screwdriver and pliers in their backpack that the police called “burglary tools”. He did not have a history of burglary. The case was dropped when they instead charged him with <.5 grams of marijuana for some crumbs found loose in the bottom in his backpack and sent him juvie for 6 months. (I think he was on probation, I know the police wanted to charge him with anything….and did.). I was accused of having lockpicks once because I had picked up a few metal brush bits from a street sweeper in a parking lot and police saw me pick them up, arrested, then released me on site when the supervisor showed up and heard their story.

I think the last sentence of that paragraph puts him in danger, since he clearly has reason to believe at least some of the burglary tools he sells to the public are going to be used criminally.

I don’t want to see you give someone advice that could get them in serious trouble, I know you would feel terrible. You might be correct, technically without intent to commit a crime they’re legal to own, but in reality police and prosecutors decide your intent and I don’t trust them one whit.

eric3579said:

My understanding is that it is legal for anyone to purchase and possess lock picking tools. Seller does have to obtain info regarding purchaser, but just basic stuff.

Here are the California codes regarding such tools.
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?chapter=3.&part=1.&lawCode=PEN&title=13.

spawnflaggersays...

being that he's the lock picking lawyer, probably he's aware of the legalities of his side business.

that said, there are some countries where it's illegal to own or possess any lock picking tools. (don't know the details about how locksmiths operate? maybe special license or local police do that job)

spawnflaggersays...

compare this to computer security flaws - typically the researchers that find the flaws disclose them to the public a few weeks after notifying the vendor.

but with the physical lock industry, this is a flaw that's been around for decades, that they refuse to fix because it would cost an extra $0.25 in metal for each door.

newtboyjokingly says...

Not all lawyers know the law, or in one word, Giuliani.

spawnflaggersaid:

being that he's the lock picking lawyer, probably he's aware of the legalities of his side business.

that said, there are some countries where it's illegal to own or possess any lock picking tools. (don't know the details about how locksmiths operate? maybe special license or local police do that job)

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