Is it illegal to own lock picks in California?
According to Section 466 of the California Penal Code, it is only illegal to possess lock picks (and other items that might be useful in the commission of a burglary) if the possessor has “intent feloniously to break or enter into any building, railroad car, aircraft, or vessel, trailer coach, or vehicle.” Be advised, however, that some Californian law enforcement agencies (including the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office) consider the possession of lock picks to be evidence of felonious intent in and of itself.
