OT: picking locks

[Gordon JC Pearce]

Eric Smith wrote:
> Chris wrote:
> 
>>Last I knew, lock pick sets were illegal to own in NJ unless you are
>>someone that has a "legal" use for one. Of course, since legal use isn't
>>really defined, it leaves it pretty wide open.
> 
> 
> I own more than one hundred locks, and sometimes I can't find the key to
> open one.  In some cases, I purchase equipment with locks but no keys.
> So I think I have an entirely legitimate use for lock picks.  Whether a
> court would agree is an open question.
> 
> 
>>(It is also illegal to have a police scanner in your car,
> 
> 
> Contradicted by the Communications Act of 1934, which being Federal
> law should override it.
> 
> 
>>as well as carry a center punch...
> 
> 
> Now I'm baffled.  I can see reasons for banning lock picks and police
> scanners, even though I vehemently disagree with those reasons.  But
> why on earth should center punches be illegal?  I don't carry one
> routinely, but if I'm going somewhere that I expect to need one,
> I carry it.

Yeah, what's the thinking behind that?

> For that matter, I routinely have a bolt cutter in my car, and I suppose
> an overzealous police officer might try to contrue that as a burglar
> tool, but I can cite multiple occasions when I've had a legitimate use
> for it.

I usually have a pretty comprehensive toolbox in the back of my car (I 
drive old Citroens, which need a lot of servicing, and I often get 
called upon to rescue my friend's BMWs and Mercs ("Hey, why not get a 
nice new reliable German car to replace that Citroen?" - "Well I'll ask 
you that next time I tow yours home...").  Centre punch, cordless drill, 
Citroen Special tool BFH-14 (Big, um, *Friendly* Hammer, 14lb), 
boltcutters, hacksaws, sockets, spanners, screwdrivers, that kind of 
stuff.  If I was insane enough to move to New Jersey, I suspect the 
police would have a field day.

Of course, their sniffer dogs may well be, erm... "adversely affected" 
by sniffing in the boot of the car - brake cleaner, carb cleaner, 
contact cleaner, screenwash, engine oil, gearbox oil, diff oil, 
suspension hydraulic oil, hydraulic flushing fluid and cleaning solvent 
might just be a tad overwhelming for the poor beast.  Oh, and I think 
there's a pair of my old hiking socks there too.

Gordon.