North Carolina Laws

Unfortunately, a lot of what many people believe to be true about lock picks and the practice of picking locks in the State of North Carolina is based on "folk law" - things that they've heard from others, and not actual law. Based on purely allegorical evidence, it would also seem that some of the members of the North Carolina Locksmith's Association continue to perpetuate their biased view of the law - that picks are illegal. I've heard many stories of licensed locksmiths in our state telling people that their possession of lock picks is illegal, and we've actually had one come to a meeting and say the same. Their claim is that it is illegal but just not enforced. That couldn't be further from the truth.

Let's take a look at what our laws actually state.

Chapter 74F, known as the Locksmith Licensing Act regulates the profession of Locksmithing in the state of North Carolina. Sections 74F-1 through 74F-4 are the most relevant for our purposes since the rest of this Act just talks about how the licensing board works, fee structures, licensing requirements, etc. The Locksmith Licensing Act makes it illegal to accept compensation for providing locksmith services without a license. According to 74F-4, these include,

"Services that include repairing, rebuilding, rekeying, repinning, servicing, adjusting, or installing locks, mechanical or electronic locking devices, access control devices, egress control devices, safes, vaults, and safe-deposit boxes for compensation or other consideration, including services performed by safe technicians. The definition also includes any method of bypassing a locking mechanism of any kind, whether in a commercial, residential, or automotive setting, for compensation."

While you can let your neighbor into their locked house at their request, you can't accept any compensation for this. Keep in mind that it says compensation and doesn't say money. This includes non-cash items. Contrary to what the Locksmith's Association board or members may tell you, mere possession of locksmith tools and or using them for personal practice (or even to help someone out) does not put you in violation of this law. Note for those in the security industry that practice physical penetration testing or perform physical assessments that testing services are not included in the list of services. However any remediations you identify must be performed by a locksmith.

North Carolina General Statute covers the use of "burglary tools" (which lock picks would fall under) in SUBCHAPTER IV. OFFENSES AGAINST THE HABITATION AND OTHER BUILDINGS. Article 14, Burglary and Other Housebreakings. Two sections are relevant to our practice of locksport / lock picking.

Section 14-55. Preparation to commit burglary or other housebreakings says,

"If any person shall be found armed with any dangerous or offensive weapon, with the intent to break or enter a dwelling, or other building whatsoever, and to commit any felony or larceny therein; or shall be found having in his possession, without lawful excuse, any picklock, key, bit, or other implement of housebreaking; or shall be found in any such building, with intent to commit any felony or larceny therein, such person shall be punished as a Class I felon."

Let's break out a couple key sections here:

• "with the intent to" - While some state laws try to draw conclusions that possession implies that the possessor intends to commit a crime, the State of North Carolina puts the burden of proving intent on the prosecutor. Intent is difficult to get at. How can the prosecutor determine what was in your mind at the time it was found that you had "burglary tools" in your possession? They can't, so it has to be shown through other circumstances. These might include combination with another crime like trespass, or catching you at 2 AM with your picks or bypass tool in a door.
• "or shall be found having in his possession, without lawful excuse, any picklock, key, bit, or other implement of housebreaking" - If you engage in lock picking as a hobby, and are not providing unlicensed services, you have a "lawful excuse". The next section lists the items that are included. Picklock is an old term that may connotate a person who picks locks, but in this case it essentially means lock picks. The next part says, "key, bit, or other implement of housebreaking". So if someone says that listing "picklocks" here makes them illegal then that would also apply to your house or car key, or tools you may have in your tool box like screwdriver bits, screwdrivers, hammers, or a litany of other tools.

Section 14-56.4. Preparation to commit breaking or entering into motor vehicles gets very specific about cars for some reason. This section states,

":(a) For purposes of this section:

(1) "Manipulative key" means a key, device or instrument, other than a key that is designed to operate a specific lock, that can be variably positioned and manipulated in a vehicle keyway to operate a lock or cylinder or multiple locks or cylinders, including a wiggle key, jiggle key, or rocket key.

(2) "Master key" means a key that operates all the keyed locks or cylinders in a similar type or group of locks.

(b) It is unlawful for any person to possess any motor vehicle master key, manipulative key, or other motor vehicle lock-picking device or hot wiring device, with the intent to commit any felony, larceny, or unauthorized use of a motor propelled conveyance.

(c) It is unlawful for a person to willfully buy, sell, or transfer a motor vehicle master key, manipulative key or device, key-cutting device, lock pick or lock-picking device, or hot wiring device, designed to open or capable of opening the door or trunk of any motor vehicle or of starting the engine of a motor vehicle for use in any manner prohibited by this section."