Locksport

Several HacDC members are interested in locksport. In addition, the DC Chapter of The Open Organisation of Lockpickers (TOOOL) hosts a monthly meetup on the first Wednesday of every month at The Board Room in Dupont. (6:30pm, 1737 Connecticut Ave. NW. @TOOOL_DC / TOOOL.us) HacDC is currently in discussion with TOOOL DC about hosting some beginner or advanced lockpicking events at the space.

Legality

Also see http://lockwiki.com/index.php/Legal_Issues

District of Columbia

Several sources I found on the web claim that mere possession of lockpicking tools—regardless of intent—in D.C. is illegal, but I have not seen any legal references to support that claim. The DC Code suggests that legality is based on intent:

§ 22-2501. Possession of implements of crime; penalty [Formerly § 22-3601].

No person shall have in his or her possession in the District any instrument, tool, or implement for picking locks or pockets, with the intent to use such instrument, tool, or implement to commit a crime. Whoever violates this section shall be imprisoned for not more than 180 days and may be fined not more than $1,000, unless the violation occurs after he or she has been convicted in the District of a violation of this section or of a felony, either in the District or another jurisdiction, in which case he or she shall be imprisoned for not less than one year nor more than 5 years.

It appears that the District of Columbia doesn't have any licensure related to locksmithing.

Maryland

The Maryland Code does not appear to prohibit mere possession of lockpicking tools:

Section 6-207 - Burglary with destructive device. (a) Prohibited - A person may not open or attempt to open a vault, safe, or other secure repository by the use of a destructive device, as defined in § 4-501 of this article, while committing burglary in the first, second, or third degree. (b) Penalty - A person who violates this section is guilty of the felony of burglary with destructive device and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 20 years. (c) Sentence - A sentence imposed for a violation of this section may be separate from and consecutive to or concurrent with a sentence for another crime based on the act establishing the violation of this section.

Virginia

Possession of lockpicking tools is illegal to non-registered locksmiths.

Section 18.2-94 - Possession of burglarious tools, etc. If any person have in his possession any tools, implements or outfit, with intent to commit burglary, robbery or larceny, upon conviction thereof he shall be guilty of a Class 5 felony. The possession of such burglarious tools, implements or outfit by any person other than a licensed dealer, shall be prima facie evidence of an intent to commit burglary, robbery or larceny.