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I think possession of lockpicks is illegal in NYC as well. Though I doubt they're enforcing that rn

It's enforced here in Illinois if they catch you doing something with them. They add it on as an extra charge.

That's how it is in most States. You can own/carry lockpicks, and even carry them past TSA, but if you're caught somewhere you're not supposed to be, you're now hit with possession of burglary tools.

This is also why urbex communities reccomend not bringing picks while exploring places, as they'll bring more trouble than its worth if you're caught.

I recall that being an extremely hard and fast rule on my brief foray into urban exploration.

Never ever have anything that could be construed as a weapon or burglary tool. Even if all you did was walk through an open door it makes it far too easy to build a case for breaking and entering, instead of much milder trespassing.

Right. A lot of these statutes swing on "intent." And if you have something suspicious on your person it is easier to get the trier of fact to see it.

This applies as well to a wide variety of otherwise innocent objects. I’ve known people who’ve gotten the same for screwdrivers. Basically if you have any tool with you while doing something that the police could construe (or attempt to construe) as a burglary, then those tools are burglary tools.

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