are lockpicking sets legal?

[Mace]

Just wondering if having manual lockpicking sets (aka, not the auto ones) is legal in Australia, more specifically Victoria, I have always liked puzzles and a couple of my mates have tried to open padlocks with paperclips to no avail, obviously this is a for a hobby, and not burglary. :rolling:

Thanks.

[Mace]

Whoops, didnt realize there was a legal section, copying it over, if a mod could delete this that would be fine.

[Randy]

There's a legal section?

I would imagine that a lockpick set would be legal. Just as a keyboard isn't illegal (just because it can be involved in computer crimes).

I wouldn't imagine any legal reason to own one though... ;)

If your caught with one there may be an issue... (there is a legal term, i just can't remember its name... it covers the situation that if your caught possessing an object and there is no possible reason to possess it other than to commit a crime, its prima facie evidence of your intent to commit a crime. Its how you can be charged for carrying a baseball/cricket bat in public (with no justifiable reason to possess the bat, its classified as a weapon.))

[popeye]

You need to be a registered locksmith, or locksmith apprentice to be able to legally own a set.

[amber.2]

This has already been discussed here at length.


http://phorums.com.au/showthread.php?t=96980

[dvd_beetle]

Nah, customs to my knowledge don't confiscate general picks - just pickguns and other more restricted tools. I just got a set in the mail today, PM me if you like.

As for legality - I don't think they're a police issue, unless you're carrying them in public without a good reason - as long as you keep them at home I don't believe there's a problem.

[Lizard Drinkin]

I think the offence is called "possession of instruments of burglary" or somesuch - that would equally apply to a pair of pliers or a crowbar. This suggests it's more about context than possession.