Yes. Lock picking is legal in most of the United States, and owning a lock pick set is as normal as owning a good toolkit. More than 100,000 customers have bought their picks from us, from hobbyists and locksmiths to first responders. The one rule that matters is simple: pick locks you own, or locks you've been given permission to open.
Why people love lock picking
Lock picking is a hands-on puzzle. You feel each pin through the pick, and when the last one sets and the lock turns, you get a deeply satisfying click. It's calm, focused practice that fits into ten minutes on the sofa or a whole evening at the bench.
It's useful, too. Once you understand how a pin tumbler lock works, you'll know which locks on your own home are worth upgrading. Plenty of our customers start as hobbyists and go on to locksmithing, security work or locksport competitions.
Can I buy and own lock picks?
Yes. In most states adults can buy and own lock picks freely, and you don't need a locksmith license to order a pick set or a practice lock from us. We ship to hobbyists, locksmiths and security professionals all over the country.
The two rules of locksport
- Only pick locks you own or have clear permission to pick.
- Don't pick a lock you rely on, like your front door. Practice on a spare lock instead.
Follow those two rules and you're doing exactly what locksport clubs and professional locksmiths do every day. A few states pay attention to why someone is carrying picks, so keep yours for practice and for jobs you're entitled to do. In the UK, owning lock picks is legal too, as long as you only use them on locks you have the right to open.
The easiest way to start
Most people learn on practice locks, because you can open them again and again and see exactly what the pins are doing. The Lokko Beginners Box ($49.99) gives you 16 stainless picks, 6 tensioners and 2 clear practice locks, so you can open your first lock the evening it arrives. If you'd like to read up first, our beginner's guide walks you through your first lock step by step. You can also browse all our practice locks.