“Prepper” is a strong word with strong connotations attached to it. You might visualize a paranoid bearded man standing in a garage stuffed with canned food and rifles. (That is, of course, a stereotype.) You may be concerned about the state of current events at home and abroad and wonder what you could do to be prepared, but balk at being called a “prepper”. Maybe you just feel so overwhelmed by it all that you don’t know how to start.

You don’t have to stockpile a year’s worth of food, store 5 rain barrels in your backyard or become a gun collector. Although it may sound trite, a great way to treat your preparedness is like a Boy Scout. An anecdote from usscouts.org illustrates this well:

“"Be prepared for what?" someone once asked Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting,

"Why, for any old thing." said Baden-Powell.“

The point of the Boy Scouts is to teach young boys how to be prepared for emergencies and for being productive members of society, not by teaching them how to hoard emergency supplies. Time spent in the organization is intended to imbue them with the knowledge and skill to be mentally and physically prepared for whatever life throws at them.

So why not view your “prepping” like a boy scout? Rather than just stockpiling items (although it is wise to have a small stash of food, water, first aid supplies, etc. on hand,) work on expanding your survival knowledge and skills. Do you know how to pick locks? How to blend into a panicked crowd? Are you prepared to feed yourself and your family without electricity for an extended period of time? Not only will expanding your skills and your knowledge base make you more prepared for an emergency, but you’ll have greater peace of mind that whatever life throws at you, you’ll be able to handle it.

And it’s much harder to be accused of being a paranoid prepper when the main thing you’re hoarding is valuable skills.

The Hank Earl Carr argument is an argument used to dispute the lawful possession of handcuff keys. It’s a hasty generalization (a logical fallacy) made in reaction to a terrible event that took place on May 19, 1998.

A hasty generalization uses an unrepresentative sample to conclude a general rule. In this case, the sample is Hank Earl Carr, a murderer who possessed a handcuff key. He is unrepresentative of the population at large of individuals who possess handcuff keys. But because his actions were so reprehensible, the knee-jerk reaction to his case is to argue that since he committed terrible crimes and also used a handcuff key, the possession of handcuff keys will therefore lead to terrible crimes.

"Police line crime scene" by Tony Webster is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Hank Earl Carr was a violent murderer. By the time he shot himself in the head while barricaded inside a convenience store on May 19, 1998, he had murdered four people including his girlfriend’s four-year-old son. He is often brought up as an argument against making handcuff keys legal to the public, because while he was handcuffed in the back of a police car after bringing the mortally wounded four-year-old to a fire station (claiming the gunshot had been an accident), he used a concealed handcuff key to unlock his cuffs, after which time he shot and killed both of the officers in the front of the vehicle.

There were several unfortunate factors that led to the disaster that was May 19, 1998. Hank Earl Carr's girlfriend corroborated his story that he was actually a man by another name, and the 4-year-old child's biological father, who had no criminal record. Believing him to be a bereaved father rather than a violent criminal with an already-extensive rap sheet, the officers placed Carr in a squad car that had no protective cage between the back seat and the front seat.

No one is arguing that Carr’s crimes were reprehensible, or even that his handcuff key was used in ill fashion for horrifying intent. The problem with the common argument is that it makes assumptions about a large population of dissimilar individuals based on an isolated incident. The majority of individuals who possess handcuff keys are either law enforcement or law abiding citizens who want to be prepared for rare but possible eventualities. We can no more prohibit the possession of a handcuff key because of one person’s terrible choices than we can prohibit the possession of multi-tools, or bolt cutters, or lengths of rope.

Are you just dipping your toes into the world of lock sport? We've compiled a list of helpful videos, powerful downloads, and useful articles for lockpicking beginners. (First things first, of course- get a hold of a lock pick set.)

Videos

Downloads

https://art-of-lockpicking.com/how-to-pick-a-lock-guide/ (click download this entire guide as a PDF)

http://www.withoutakey.com/pdf/MITLockGuide.pdf (MIT Guide to Lockpicking)

http://www.withoutakey.com/pdf/bump.pdf- Bumping Locks (from The Open Organization Of Lockpickers)

http://pdf.textfiles.com/security/lsiguide.pdf Introduction to Lockpicking (Locksport International)

http://www.withoutakey.com/pdf/impropick.pdf Improvised lock picks

http://www.withoutakey.com/pdf/secretsoflp.pdf Secrets of lock picking

Blog Posts & Articles

How to Pick a Lock (With Pictures)- WikiHow

How to Pick a Lock (Basics)- Instructables

Break Into Locks with Beer Can shims, Bump Keys, and Just Plain Brute Force- WonderHowto

Pick a DeadBolt Door Lock with Bobby Pins- WonderHowTo

Why You Should Learn How to Pick Handcuffs to Escape from Illegal Restraint- ITS Tactical

A Beginner’s Guide to Tubular Lockpicking- ITS Tactical

3 Things You'll Need to Pick Your First Lock- TIHK

A complaint we receive a lot is that we must be marketing a product directly to criminals. After all, police are the ones who use handcuffs. Bad guys are desperate, and they work on the fly and use duct tape, zip ties, rope, or cable when they want to restrain someone. We’ll get to that argument in a minute. First, let’s talk about the debate over mere possession of a cuff key.

The intended purpose of an item that can be used to cause harm has been strong on the public’s mind since the tragic shooting in Las Vegas. Many gun-control advocates insist that you can defend yourself in other ways if you are being attacked, and you don’t need a gun. The purpose of a gun is to cause serious bodily harm. The argument is that no one really needs access to such a thing.

This article is not about gun control, but we encounter a similar argument against the possession of handcuff keys by law-abiding citizens. Those who don’t understand why anyone who isn’t a criminal would want to possess a handcuff key argue that it’s pointless, because bad guys don’t use handcuffs. Therefore anyone who wants to own a cuff key must be either a criminal or paranoid.

Interestingly, many of the people making this argument will fight tooth and nail for our second-amendment right to bear arms. The gist of the matter to them is that possessing a firearm is your right as an American citizen, and you do not have to explain your motives. Those motives, of course, are usually sound and legal. Hunting, home defense, sheer enthusiasm. Why not extend the same courtesy to those who want to own a cuff key, an item which is arguably less dangerous than a firearm? Unless you try to swallow the thing and choke to death, a handcuff key can’t hurt you. Even in the hands of the baddest bad guy. It can, however, save your life.

What’s that, you say? Bad guys don’t use handcuffs? We’ll just leave these here…

• In the summer of 2015, a postal employee with a restraining order placed against him by family members was arrested and discovered to be in possession of multiple weapons and handcuffs on federal property.

• In the fall of 2012, an offender with no prior record perpetrated multiple kidnappings and sexual assaults using, among other tools, a sedating drug, zip ties, and handcuffs.

• Earlier this year, three victims were kidnapped and detained in handcuffs in the basement of a man who appeared to be having a “schizophrenic episode”.

• This past spring an older man was handcuffed and physically assaulted in his own home after a group of burglars broke in.

• In 2015 an elderly couple was handcuffed as their home was burglarized of over $10,000 worth of cash and jewelry.

It is insanely easy to buy handcuffs. There are no restrictions on the sale of the very same handcuffs used by our law enforcement officers. You can have a pair shipped to you in just a few clicks. And sure… most of the people buying them are probably law enforcement, security, and perhaps a small subset of lock picking enthusiasts. But there’s another group of people buying handcuffs, and the stories above prove that it’s not just an isolated incident every few years. Bad guys use handcuffs. It’s not just reasonable to carry a handcuff key just in case… it’s the smart choice.

Buying a handcuff key is not a difficult process. You do not need to be a law enforcement officer or show proof of any kind of certification in order to purchase one. You don’t need any proof of your occupation to buy a pair of handcuffs either… that’s why it’s so important that as a prepared citizen you have access to a handcuff key.

You can obtain a handcuff key in two ways:

Buy a Pair of Handcuffs

All handcuffs naturally come with a set of keys. These will typically be metal keys with a double-lock pin (if applicable) on a small keyring. These are great to have on hand and don’t require a separate purchase since they come with the handcuffs. However, they can be cumbersome and hard to conceal.

Buy a Handcuff Key from a Survival Store

Most urban survival stores, both brick-and-mortar and online, will have at least one kind of handcuff key in stock. It’s as easy as making any other purchase.

How Much Do Handcuff Keys Cost?

Fortunately, for the value they add to your everyday carry handcuff keys do not require too significant an investment. If you’re buying the key separate from handcuffs as an extra preparedness item, you can expect to pay between under $10 for a single key. Many handcuff keys come in packs of 2 or more since they tend to be small and it’s nice to have an extra few to stash around in critical locations. You can find a pack of 2 handcuff keys for as little as $12.

Even in the survival and prepping world, there is a common notion that lock pick sets are illegal to own. It’s ultimately up to the individual state, but in general this is actually a misconception. Lock pick sets are not illegal to own in every state and there is no federal law that prohibits ownership of lock picks across the board.

Here are the general rules of permission

LEGAL:

• It is generally allowed to pick a lock which you have been given permission to pick.
• It is always legal to pick locks that belong to you.

ILLEGAL:

• It is illegal to pick locks that do not belong to you without permission.

Here are the general rules of possession

• Most state governments require that law enforcement and/or a jury need to prove criminal intent before possession of lock picking tools can be prosecuted as illegal. There are certain areas where mere possession is considered ample evidence that you planned to do something illegal.
• Your possession of lock picking tools is much more likely to be drawn into question if you have them on your person when you are arrested for doing something else illegal. Our advice to combat this risk? Don't do anything illegal.
• Laws vary from state to state. Lock picks are illegal to possess in the following states:
• Tennessee
• Mississippi
• Nevada
• Ohio
• Virginia

Lock picks are illegal to possess/transfer in the following countries:

• Japan
• Poland
• Sweden

Different Laws for Different Lock Pick Sets

Also be aware that different laws may apply to different types of lock pick sets. This includes auto jigglers/try out keys, bump keys, bypass tools, handcuff keys, etcetera. As a consumer you are responsible for checking and complying with your local laws.

Even If You’re Not a Criminal

It’s time to let go of the antiquated idea that only criminals and locksmiths know how to pick locks.

If you’ve ever locked yourself out of your house or your car, if you’ve ever found yourself in a potentially dangerous situation or seen someone else struggling to enter their own locked house or vehicle and wished you could help, it should make sense to you why some knowledge of lock picking is so much more than a pastime for criminals. Here are ten reasons why you need to learn how to pick locks:

1. It’s a marketable skill. Looking at something in military, law enforcement, security, etcetera? A thorough knowledge of how lock picking works is a great skill to show off.
2. You’ll be better equipped to help others. It’s a useful survival skill for not only yourself but for others who may need help.
3. Get yourself out of hairy situations. Live or work in a sketchy area? The last thing you need is to be stuck outside of safe shelter at night.
4. Stop spending money on locksmiths. Never again spend hundreds of dollars getting back into your car or house.
5. Take responsibility for your property and personal safety. Don’t rely on someone else to rescue you if you get locked out. You will gain a great deal of confidence knowing that you can take care of yourself.
6. Cultivate patience and sensitivity to detail. Lock picking is a delicate and often complicated pastime that requires a great deal of patience. You have to develop muscle memory and sensitivity in your hands to recognize the minute tactile feedback of a lock that you can’t see the inside of. Learning to pick locks doesn’t just give you a helpful skill, it builds honorable character traits.
7. Join a clever and ethical community of lock picking enthusiasts. Spend a little time amongst the online lockpicking community and you’ll quickly discover that it’s a community that prioritizes integrity and is filled with intelligent people happy to share their passion and expertise.

If you’re ready to take the plunge into lock picking but are unsure of how to start, rest assured that you don’t need a huge arsenal of weirdly shaped picks to get started. For picking a simple pin tumbler lock, you only need the following items:

Tension Wrench

A tension wrench is a necessary component because it maintains tension on the lock, which is what enables you to set the pins and turn the lock once you’ve picked it successfully. Without a tension wrench, picking a lock is impossible.

Rake

While you can pick a lock pin-by-pin (called single pin picking or SPP) with just a hook or other pick, a rake is especially useful for beginners. It is also possible to pick a lock entire with just a rake and a tension wrench, but this often requires luck more than anything else. It’s not wise to rely on luck, so pack a rake in your kit but also be sure to include the final item...

Hook Pick

A hook pick is a very simple lock pick in (surprise!) the shape of a small hook. It can be used for careful single-pin picking or as a sort of simple rake.

Armed with some knowledge of the anatomy of a pin tumbler lock and how they function as well as these three tools and a lot of patience, you can successfully pick your first lock. The tension wrench maintains tension on the lock for the entire time you are picking, the rake can be used to try your luck at scrubbing the lock (setting as many pins as you can by chance), then the hook pick can be used to complete the picking process on any pins that didn’t set with scrubbing. There are many other shapes and kinds of lock picks available that are useful for different styles and methods of lock picking, but these initial three tools will carry you far until you’re ready to advance your lock picking skills.

Lock picking is a practice that requires patience. Once you’ve mastered the fundamentals, more advanced lock picking will naturally come more easily. The challenge lies in the initial mastery. In order to develop proficiency with lock picking you’ll need to spend a lot of time practicing. Lock picking is all about paying very careful attention to minute tactile feedback, and you’ll need to develop new muscle memory in your hands to get really good at it.

That being said, lock picking is not always inherently difficult. The basics of lock picking are fairly simple, and a thorough understanding of the inner mechanism of a traditional pin tumbler lock will be of tremendous help to you.

Common lock picking challenges

• Maintaining Tension- One of the challenges inherent in lock picking is in maintaining tension on the wrench with one hand for the entirety of the time that you are scrubbing or picking the lock with your other hand. Releasing tension at any time will force you to start from the beginning.

• Recognizing Tactile Feedback- Another challenge is recognizing which pins still have yet to be set, and which is the next binder pin (the least springy), all without the aid of your eyes. Since, with the exception of clear trainer locks, the mechanism of a lock is within a closed metal housing, you’ll be relying entirely on touch to give you information about tiny and delicate parts. This requires the cultivation of patience and sensitivity.

• Recognizing Lock Types- The difficulty level of picking a given lock will vary depending on the lock type. Recognizing what kind of lock mechanism lies within and knowing which tools and techniques are necessary for the job are skills that will grow with time as you practice and experiment.

Don’t let the idea of lock-picking intimidate you! Like any other skill, it takes practice and patience. But unlike many other skills, not only could it get you back into your locked house or car… it could possibly save your life.

Why would anybody bother owning lock picks? If you’re not a locksmith, doesn’t carrying lock picks around imply that you intend to commit burglary? Isn’t it a little paranoid to assume you’re going to need lock picks in day-to-day life? Why not just call a locksmith if you get locked out of your house?

These are all great questions, but they assume that you will always have access to a locksmith in an emergency, not to mention that you’ll always have the funds to pay them. Carrying around a set of lock picks doesn’t make you a burglar any more than carrying a set of matches makes you an arsonist. Choosing to own lock picks (and learning how to use them) is about taking responsibility for your own life, your own possessions, and your own safety.

1. Owning Lock Picks Gives You Peace of Mind

You don’t have to have a wild imagination to imagine a scenario or two in which you may be locked out of your home or car without a cell phone. If you can’t contact a locksmith for whatever reason, or you don’t have easy access to potentially several hundreds of dollars to pay them, what is your next plan of action? Carrying a set of lock picks gives you peace of mind that if you need it, you’ll have a backup plan in place. It also allows you to be available to help others in need at a moment’s notice.

2. Lock Picks are Easy to Carry

Lock picks are a low-maintenance emergency item that are easy to carry on your person every day without a second thought. Many small lock pick sets can be slipped right into your wallet, or take up so little space that you can carry them in your pocket without the annoyance of extra bulk. Lock picks are light, thin, and convenient.

3. You Can Find Lock Picks to Suit your Needs and Abilities

Carrying lock picks is not an all-or-nothing endeavor. There is such a wide variety of lock picking tools available that you can find one to suit your tastes, your needs, and your skill level. You may want a full 12- or 24- piece lock pick set, or you may prefer just to carry a simple shim or even a credit card tool. Even if you aren’t prepared to carry a full set of lock picking tools, knowing that you have at least something on your person will provide you with an advantageous edge and tremendous peace of mind.