I've frequented a lot of Atlanta rooftops in the past, and it seems like it's a gamble whether or not the door is locked or not. Has anyone successfully lock picked/use a bump key to get past a locked door?

Even if people have, I don't think they're likely to admit it here. Getting caught with those tools makes trespassing into a much more serious offence, and most places, even if locked, you can get in without opening the locks themselves.

I usually bring a "disposable" set of picks that I made with me if I know I'm going to try some roofs.

I carry them inside an empty flashlight at the bottom of my bag, so they won't stand out if a cop looks through my stuff. They're kind of a pain in the ass to get back in and put away, quickly, so before I take them out I'll look for someplace near-at-hand where I can ditch them fast if someone surprises me and just hope I don't have to.

Posted by NotBatman I usually bring a "disposable" set of picks that I made with me if I know I'm going to try some roofs. I carry them inside an empty flashlight at the bottom of my bag, so they won't stand out if a cop looks through my stuff. They're kind of a pain in the ass to get back in and put away, quickly, so before I take them out I'll look for someplace near-at-hand where I can ditch them fast if someone surprises me and just hope I don't have to.

The problem with ditching and hiding stuff is cops have gotten very adapt to looking for drugs.
If you have a drug arrest of your record it makes it a double bad plan.

Posted by blackhawk The problem with ditching and hiding stuff is cops have gotten very adapt to looking for drugs. If you have a drug arrest of your record it makes it a double bad plan.

Yup.

Lucky for me, I know all that and am STILL not afraid to leave the house!

Hooray!

Posted by NotBatman Yup. Lucky for me, I know all that and am STILL not afraid to leave the house! Hooray!

I'm never at home...
I've been arrested and had all my gear search as well as my car... and I have no criminal history.
Bringing break in tools can land you with felony charges, something rookies need to know.

Picks aren't needed. Some places are best left alone if committing a felony is the only option in.
I prefer to keep UE as a long term -hobby- not a short term profitless criminal career.

A screwdriver and a filed key on a keyring aren't "break in tools" but a lock pick sure as hell is. Why not just try using a bump key and if that fails go home? The thing is, if the lock is good enough to keep you out, the "it was unlocked" argument isnt going to fly very well.

The issue with using and carrying those types of tools is that although not illegal to own in most states, when coupled with trespassing can turn the consequence from a warning into a felony. If it takes flirting with a felony charge to get into a location, it just doesn't seem worth it to me.

Do bear in mind that in many states, the mere possession of lock picking tools by someone who is not a certified locksmith is a criminal offense. Trespassing while carrying illegal burglary tools (which they would be classified as) is an easy way to get dragged to court on felony charges.

Posted by Aran Do bear in mind that in many states, the mere possession of lock picking tools by someone who is not a certified locksmith is a criminal offense. Trespassing while carrying illegal burglary tools (which they would be classified as) is an easy way to get dragged to court on felony charges.

There are 4 states where possession is considered criminal intent and only one where they are outright illegal to have

http://toool.us/laws.html

Sometimes, if a door is old or poorly installed, and the lock's deadlatch is not engaged, you can open it with a shim, or credit card. I carry an old keycard cut diagonally in half in my wallet, and I have actually gotten on a couple of roofs this way.

Posted by Tomtortoise There are 4 states where possession is considered criminal intent and only one where they are outright illegal to have http://toool.us/laws.html

Ah, thanks. I guess I was misinformed.