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Electronic Lock Bumping

Electronic lock bumping refers to the use of snap guns (powered by an electric motor) to open a lock. Therefore, with the snap gun you don’t need to have the original key to gain entry into a locked house. Think of electronic lock bumping as a [picking] technique. In which, a locksmith or a homeowner with the snap gun can open a pin tumbler lock regardless of its difficulty. However, only professional tradesmen such as locksmiths are legally allowed to use the gun to help clients in a business setting. So how did this fascinating technique of electronic lock bumping start? In this article, we will review the history of electronic lock bumping, the design of the snap gun, the professionals who use the device and its growing use by criminals.

The History of Electronic Lock Bumping

Key bumping was first mentioned in 1926 during the time of Hiram Simpson`s patent lock device. However, most research papers written on this technique indicate that the practice started about 60 years ago. During those early years, it was considered a trade secret by the locksmiths. Therefore, they avoided talking about the technique in public.

When Key Bumping was introduced to the public

The use of key bumping was not introduced until sometime later and was first recognized as a major security issue by Klaus Noch around 2002. Later, an American security expert named Marc Tobias went public to talk about the technique. During this time, the German media highlighted the issue and this was followed by several other related publications. These articles focused on the uses, the techniques, and the hazards of [bumping]. There have also been several papers written to address the possible legal issues that relate to bump key usage.

Use by law enforcement

The history of snap guns shows that they were also designed to be used by the police. The police officers used the snap guns to open locks without using the traditional [picking] techniques. Actually, only the police were allowed to own the snap guns in some jurisdictions.

The internet's impact on lock bumping

The internet also played a major role in educating people about the snap guns used for lock bumping. Today, the snap guns are available for anyone to purchase. This has resulted in individuals purchasing their own snap guns and using them to unlock locks in case of a house lockout. As a matter of fact, “Around 90% of locks in residences are susceptible to lock bumping and potential criminal activity” (http://www.americanbuilderscentral.com/lock-bumping/). On the contrary, we have the potential threat created by the high availability of the snap guns as they now have a higher risk to be used for illegal purposes.

The Design of the Snap Gun

Even before we study how electronic lock bumping works, it is important that we understand the different components and the design of the snap gun. When we talk about the electric pick gun, it means that electrical power is used to move (vibrate) the lock picking gun. The snap gun comes with an electrical motor that has an eccentric bearing. This motor will oscillate the snap gun needle continuously. Therefore, it means that the snap gun requires little movement by the user. The electronic lock bump gun has a needle that is connected to the moving head. The gun has a direction button just next to the trigger button. When using the snap gun, it is advisable that you push the direction switch fully to the left or right. There is an adjustment screw attached that is placed on top of the head. This screw is used to increase or reduce tension. All these parts are then mounted to a case to make a complete snap gun.

Learn How Lock Picking is Done

Are you curious to learn how lock picking is done? According to [MIT Guide on Lockpicking], lock picking theory involves the big theory of exploiting mechanical defects. Ideally, lock picking involves few but important concepts. All you need to do is practice lock picking so as to be able to learn the tricks involved in lock picking. This is in the same manner as to how you need to study and exploit lock defects before you can become a good locksmith. Therefore, to practice lock picking, you will need to dedicate your time doing it on the same lock and also practice it on several other locks. The flatland model and the pin column model are used to illustrate the behavior of locks during lock picking. With the flatland model, it is a good illustration of the basic defects that enable lock picking to work effectively. Ideally, the model shows how the lock defect makes it possible to open the lock through lifting of the pins in one go. You basically will not need to use a key so as to lift all the pins in one go. For the pin column model, we have an illustration of how the torque and the needed force lift each of the pins. It is critical that one understands this relationship to effectively use the lock picker. This can be seen through use of a graph that will illustrate the minimum pressure that you will need to move the pin and on one side of the graph have the distance that the pin has to be displaced from the initial position to be picked effectively. Note that the force of the spring will increase as the pins are moved towards the lock hall. Ideally, this is with an assumption that the spring force remains constant over the range of displacement. If you have a clear picture of how the two models impact lock picking, you will successfully learn the art of lock picking. This enables you to use the electronic lock picker easily and on any type of lock successfully.

How to Use the Electronic Snap Gun

Step One: Adjusting the Tension Screw

To begin, adjust the tension screw according to your preferences. Make sure that the tension is not excessive or too minimal while using the snap gun. To ensure you set the right tension, start with less lift and increase it gradually as you test. Note that overtime you might not need to make this adjustment as you will have mastered the best tension according to your preferences.

Step Two: Insert the Turning Tool

Make sure you have the right turning tool that you will use on the lock and that it is out of the way of the Snap Gun itself.

Step Three: Inserting the Needle of the Lock Gun

Make sure that the needle reaches all the way to the pin stack which is located at the back of the lock. This will ensure that you pick all the pins in the lock. A common mistake you can make is not reaching the last pin stack. Once you have the needle inserted into the lock, you can now check to ensure the turning tool doesn’t hamper the operation of the gun in any way.

Step Four: Practice opening locks

You are now ready to start opening locks. Note that for the first time it might not be very simple to use the snap gun. However, overtime as you practice, you will get used to using it, and you can practice using locks that are no longer in use. Keep in mind that while using the snap gun, the needle should be free to move in the lock without any obstruction. If the needle doesn’t move freely, tilt the gun, and make sure the needle is parallel with the pins and doesn’t tilt horizontally. This takes the top pins away from the bottom pins. With the top pins thrown upwards, the shear line between the plug and the shell is also unimpeded. If the right amount of pressure has been applied, the plug will then turn and the lock will be opened. When the needle snaps upward, the top pins are thrown upward at the same time. Generally, an electronic snap gun is simple to use and performs the task faster than a regular pick gun would.

The Manual Pick Gun VS. The Electronic Pick Gun

The manual pick guns come as a spring loaded tool that is similar to the toy gun. The pick gun has a lock pick that is attached to the front side. Additionally, the pick gun is interchangeable and often referred to as the needle. The needle gets inserted into the lock and then is placed beneath the pin stacks. Similar to traditional lock picking, a separate tension tool is then used to put tension and the plug is rotated. On the tension tool, you apply some slight tension, then fire the trigger of the manual pick gun to complete lock picking. The Electric pick gun works in a similar manner. However, the electric pick gun oscillates the needle backwards and forward causing vibrations. To get the needles resonate frequency, the pick tool should be controlled such that the top pins will jump above the shear line.

Traditional Lock Bumping

Note that this similar process takes place in traditional lock bumping as well. However, with electronic lock bumping, we have the snap gun that automatically transfers the energy. Therefore, the electric snap gun opens the lock very quickly compared to traditional lock picking.

The Legality of Lock Gun Use

Lock picking has been practiced for many years. However, not all instances feature the use of the right tools and technique. According to https://toool.us/laws.html , in some states, possession of lock guns amounts to prosecution which is classified under possession of burglary tools. Other states have no statute that can be used to prosecute a person who is found in possession of the lock gun. Before purchasing the electronic lock picking gun, it is necessary to check whether the law permits possession of the lock pick gun. This also helps you when you intend to travel to a different state with the lock picking gun. Understand where the lock pick gun is just a tool, and where it will be classified as a burglary tool. You will notice that some of the rules have similarities while in other states there is a clear shocking difference. Some states classify use of lock pick guns as illegal if the state proves a clear intent in the person found with the lock gun. The state lawyer will therefore prove the intent leading to prosecution of the holder. In other states, possession of the lock gun is considered prima facie. Note that prima facie is a term in the legal discipline that refers one is guilty until disproven. If you find that you are unhappy with your state’s law when it comes to possession of the lock pick gun, you can raise a petition and if the petition is accepted, people will vote creating an opportunity for changing the law.

Professionals licensed to use snap guns

Professional locksmiths have been granted permission to use snap guns. As long as they are registered with the locksmith association and licensed, they can use the snap guns to assist people facing lockout issues. There are some companies that manufacture the lock guns and only sell them to licensed locksmiths. Examples include Rytan and Falle Safe which is among the major companies known to exclusively sell the lock pick guns. Unfortunately, non-professionals and criminals have started using the snap guns as well. Therefore, these companies have come up with a policy that disallows possession of the lock pick gun by individuals that are not licensed.

The use of Electronic Lock bumping by criminals

We have seen that police officers use the lock bumping tools to open locks. Furthermore, we have also seen that the internet has played a major role in educating people on the use of electronic lock bumping. Criminals have also taken advantage of this technique. This has led to some states declaring the snap guns illegal. However, people still have access to them and among them are robbers and vandals which pose a huge security risk all over the world.

The first thing is being aware of the vulnerability. Once you realize how vulnerable you are to lock bumping, you are in a better position to prevent the crime. Therefore, when buying locks, make sure you buy a bump-resistant lock.

With the snap guns available for sale online, people are buying them for private use. They are used to unlock locks in case they lose their keys. Therefore, people might no longer need to contact a locksmith to offer these services. So long as they can afford the snap gun, it becomes very easy to unlock a door in case of a house lockout.

Collecting Forensic Evidence on Use of Pick Guns

We have illustrated that criminals do use the lock guns to gain unauthorized entry. Now, the question is, how can the security agencies collect forensic evidence in case of lock picking? The use of the needle on the pick gun causes striking against the bottom pins. This is very clear forensic evidence. Traditional lock picking, on the other hand, leaves some scratches on the lock. However, when the electric pick gun has been used, it leaves impact marks on the pins. Done several times, the pick gun will leave impact marks that resemble the spokes found on a bike. These are distinct marks compared to what is left by the other pins. In fact, detectives can count the marks clearly to tell how many times the lock picking attempts were done. According to the Forensic Examiner, “In a case involving safe penetration, the placement of a drill point may indicate whether or not the attacker knew what they were doing”. In some instances, the electric pick gun will leave brass components inside the lock. Therefore, the cam on the lock acts as a very good source of forensic evidence.

Key Takeaway

The electric snap gun makes it easy and efficient to unlock a house. Basically, lock picking should not damage the lock in any way. This is exactly what a snap gun is able to achieve. You can easily unlock the house door without causing any damage to the lock. Although the snap gun was originally meant to be used by professional locksmiths, it is nowadays used by the general public too. Criminals have taken advantage of the technology to gain access to people’s homes. This, therefore, calls for homeowners and business owners to be vigilant when purchasing locks. Therefore, ensure you purchase a lock that will resist any bumping attempts. This will make sure you stay safe from burglary and vandalism attempts.