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(Partial brain dump on locksmithing stuff in LV, NV)
Please post places in Las Vegas (or online) where you find useful locksmithing/lockpicking information and places to purchase supplies in Las Vegas.
Over the past several years, there have been lockpicking demos and various OOB discussions on it. Some helpful information on lockpicks even though IANAL (I am not a lawyer.)
2 Places which existed in LV (may still exist) to buy lockpicks without ID or verification
(last I checked at DC 9 or 10):
1) This place is closer to the con, but the prices are rather high for lockpicking supplies. The prices were about 4 to 6 times the price Locksmiths might pay for "wholesale", but they are closer to the con, and have lots of other interesting stuff including books from loompanics and other similar items:
Fox's Spy Outlet, 2055 East Tropicana Avenue
http://www.foxspyoutlet.com/ (seems unavailable right now, but whois shows domain still owned)
Because of their proximity to the con, they often were sold out of tools by the Thursday before the con.
2) This next place is actually a real, live, genuine locksmith supply shop. Certainly, they will sell supplies to consumers and often do, but other locksmiths in LV, NV which are smaller organizations that do not have tools they need and need something quickly also shop here.
The prices are more reasonable, but you should at least have some consideration if you visit a shop like this.
Though you probably do not need it, use some SocEng and talk like a locksmith. Wear clothing you might expect one to wear, and drop any kind of "gangsta-pimp" speak. Educate yourself before you visit this shop about lingo of the trade, and the people behind the desk will chat with you for hours on different information of locksmithing. The more you show you know about various things the more they will talk with you. They are a good source of information if you can manage to engage them in dialog.
Prices are about 1.5 to 2.0 times higher than what locksmiths can get through direct sales for picks/bypass tools.
http://www.nevadalock.com/locations.htm
2969 S. Highland Ave.
You can get better prices online, but then there is an issue of tracking your purchase and a paper-trail.
The information above may be old. It was current during DC 10, but "9/11" changed many things.
You should consult the laws of your country, province, state, or government on posession of lockpicks and other lock bypass methods. In some states (California) possession of lockpicks by people who have not been convicted of a felony or crime like B and E may presently possess them, but purchases made in California are supposed to require verification and tracking with a photo ID. Then in a state like New Jersey, possession and ownership is restricted to locksmiths or people with similar license.
Possession of such tools can be argued to be "reasonable cause" for police to search you or a vehicle in many places.
Possession of such tools when caught trespassing can elevate a misdemeanor to a felony, or compound the sentencing process.
Police are often not educated on these laws (re lockpicks) in your state, so you may be hassled for having them even if it is not illegal (read legal) to possess them where you live.
Educate yourself on your risk and exposure before you go out any buy anything like this.
In some states, all that is required to be a registered locksmith (and carry picks, and sometimes be entitled to get a license to carry concealed weapons) is to get fingerprinted, pay for a background check and give the state less than $50 per year.
Becoming "bonded" is not the same thing as being licensed, but some people in law enforcement do not know the difference.
If you are traveling by plane, do not carry them on the plane with you or you will risk having them removed from your person and lost for ever.
ALOA has actually had their convention in Las Vegas at least twice and their meetings have actually been at the same time as DC! One year, I think they actually had DC at the same hotel as part of the ALOA conference. We waited outside a meeting room which had a sign that said, "The ----- Hotel Welcomes ALOA Attendees." Another year I think it was at the MGM (about 1.5 miles from the AP IIRC.)
Restated warning:
If you do not look like a locksmith, and do not talk like a locksmith, many locksmith won't talk to you. At Fox's spy outlet they did not care what you looked like; if you had the money, they would sell you what they had, but they (sales person) knew little about locksmithing or lock picking.
(Partial brain dump on locksmithing stuff in LV, NV)
Please post places in Las Vegas (or online) where you find useful locksmithing/lockpicking information and places to purchase supplies in Las Vegas.
Over the past several years, there have been lockpicking demos and various OOB discussions on it. Some helpful information on lockpicks even though IANAL (I am not a lawyer.)
2 Places which existed in LV (may still exist) to buy lockpicks without ID or verification
(last I checked at DC 9 or 10):
1) This place is closer to the con, but the prices are rather high for lockpicking supplies. The prices were about 4 to 6 times the price Locksmiths might pay for "wholesale", but they are closer to the con, and have lots of other interesting stuff including books from loompanics and other similar items:
Fox's Spy Outlet, 2055 East Tropicana Avenue
http://www.foxspyoutlet.com/ (seems unavailable right now, but whois shows domain still owned)
Because of their proximity to the con, they often were sold out of tools by the Thursday before the con.
2) This next place is actually a real, live, genuine locksmith supply shop. Certainly, they will sell supplies to consumers and often do, but other locksmiths in LV, NV which are smaller organizations that do not have tools they need and need something quickly also shop here.
The prices are more reasonable, but you should at least have some consideration if you visit a shop like this.
Though you probably do not need it, use some SocEng and talk like a locksmith. Wear clothing you might expect one to wear, and drop any kind of "gangsta-pimp" speak. Educate yourself before you visit this shop about lingo of the trade, and the people behind the desk will chat with you for hours on different information of locksmithing. The more you show you know about various things the more they will talk with you. They are a good source of information if you can manage to engage them in dialog.
Prices are about 1.5 to 2.0 times higher than what locksmiths can get through direct sales for picks/bypass tools.
http://www.nevadalock.com/locations.htm
2969 S. Highland Ave.
You can get better prices online, but then there is an issue of tracking your purchase and a paper-trail.
The information above may be old. It was current during DC 10, but "9/11" changed many things.
You should consult the laws of your country, province, state, or government on posession of lockpicks and other lock bypass methods. In some states (California) possession of lockpicks by people who have not been convicted of a felony or crime like B and E may presently possess them, but purchases made in California are supposed to require verification and tracking with a photo ID. Then in a state like New Jersey, possession and ownership is restricted to locksmiths or people with similar license.
Possession of such tools can be argued to be "reasonable cause" for police to search you or a vehicle in many places.
Possession of such tools when caught trespassing can elevate a misdemeanor to a felony, or compound the sentencing process.
Police are often not educated on these laws (re lockpicks) in your state, so you may be hassled for having them even if it is not illegal (read legal) to possess them where you live.
Educate yourself on your risk and exposure before you go out any buy anything like this.
In some states, all that is required to be a registered locksmith (and carry picks, and sometimes be entitled to get a license to carry concealed weapons) is to get fingerprinted, pay for a background check and give the state less than $50 per year.
Becoming "bonded" is not the same thing as being licensed, but some people in law enforcement do not know the difference.
If you are traveling by plane, do not carry them on the plane with you or you will risk having them removed from your person and lost for ever.
ALOA has actually had their convention in Las Vegas at least twice and their meetings have actually been at the same time as DC! One year, I think they actually had DC at the same hotel as part of the ALOA conference. We waited outside a meeting room which had a sign that said, "The ----- Hotel Welcomes ALOA Attendees." Another year I think it was at the MGM (about 1.5 miles from the AP IIRC.)
Restated warning:
If you do not look like a locksmith, and do not talk like a locksmith, many locksmith won't talk to you. At Fox's spy outlet they did not care what you looked like; if you had the money, they would sell you what they had, but they (sales person) knew little about locksmithing or lock picking.
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