That is not true. It’s on a state-by-state basis and only a few states have laws that say ownership is automatically seen as intent to commit a crime.

It’s legal in most states to own lock picks and use them on locks you own.

I also believe most of the same states allow you to use them on any locks with the permission of the owner, but there may be a few that require a locksmith for that, even if you aren’t selling the service.

> Well owning a set of lock picks is illegal in the US so... 6 of one, half a dozen of the other.

No. https://www.toool.us/lockpicking-laws.php

Oddy enough, owning lockpicks is sorta illegal in some Canadian provinces.