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" or things that they've heard from others, and not actual law. It also doesn't help that the North Carolina Locksmith's Association continues to perpetuate their biased view of the law. 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.
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, fees, 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.
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.
