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Lockpicking/Joining ILA

MengerSpongeMengerSponge Registered User regular
edited July 2007 in Help / Advice Forum
A friend and I are interested in lockpicking, and in an effort to both hone our skills and avoid being arrested, we figured it would be a good idea to get official certification. But, we don't know where to start. A quick googling turned up the ILA (Institutional Locksmith's Association). Is this a nationally (US)-recognized organization? Is there another place we should be looking? Neither one of us is actually trying to do this as a career, we just think it would be a fun hobby, so we don't need official licenses or anything (I don't think). But we would like to be able to practice, order lockpick sets, etc. without any legal trouble.

Basically what I'm asking is, has anyone else gotten any sort of official certification for locksmithing? If so, which organization did you go through, were classes required first, did it take a lot of time and/or money, etc.? And is it even necessary if you want to legally carry lockpicks (I know these laws are complicated). The ILA seems to only require a test ($100 fee) and offers a $25 study guide; is that really all there is to it?

MengerSponge on

Posts

  • BokiBoki __BANNED USERS regular
    edited July 2007
    Look around for Lock picker tournaments, which are basically mazes full of doors that must be lockpicked.

    Boki on
  • MishraMishra Registered User regular
    edited July 2007
    Also try and find the MIT lockpickers guide, one of the best tutorials out there. Nothing says you can't practice on your own locks for fun.

    Mishra on
    "Give a man a fire, he's warm for the night. Set a man on fire he's warm for the rest of his life."
    -Terry Pratchett
  • MengerSpongeMengerSponge Registered User regular
    edited July 2007
    Mishra wrote: »
    Also try and find the MIT lockpickers guide, one of the best tutorials out there. Nothing says you can't practice on your own locks for fun.

    Yeah, we've read the MIT and some other guides, so I think that we could physically open some locks. We just want to cover ourselves legally, as in many places it's illegal to have/carry picks unless you're certified.

    MengerSponge on
  • MishraMishra Registered User regular
    edited July 2007
    MengerSponge wrote: »
    Mishra wrote: »
    Also try and find the MIT lockpickers guide, one of the best tutorials out there. Nothing says you can't practice on your own locks for fun.

    Yeah, we've read the MIT and some other guides, so I think that we could physically open some locks. We just want to cover ourselves legally, as in many places it's illegal to have/carry picks unless you're certified.

    Ahh, well I'd call your local locksmith and ask him, I'm sure if you explain the situation he'd answer your questions.

    Mishra on
    "Give a man a fire, he's warm for the night. Set a man on fire he's warm for the rest of his life."
    -Terry Pratchett
  • redimpulseredimpulse Registered User regular
    edited July 2007
    It is not illegal to purchase lockpicks in the US. It is illegal for them to be carried in DC, but elsewhere they can't do anything unless you're arrested in an incriminating situation and they can prove intent.

    check out http://www.selfdefenseproducts.com/

    redimpulse on
    rbsig.jpg
  • Iceman.USAFIceman.USAF Major East CoastRegistered User regular
    edited July 2007
    Indeed my friend keeps a set with him.

    He also keeps a print out of Massachusetts state law pertaining to the owning of said set in the set itself.

    Smart man, he is.

    Iceman.USAF on
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