I can open most pad locks with a sharp, quick tap with a little bitty ball peen hammer. It takes a nack, but works almost every time.

About the safest pad locks are those round ones (bolt cutter-proof) like the mini storage places like to use. They have a different mechanism inside, and neither of these tricks work on them.

Chico, I have seen similar clips on you tube showing how to pick locks. Just like prisoners in prison, with a little time, and a few crude materials, people can come up with all kinds of devices. I have seen the tweekers make all kinds of gadgets out of just about everything. That is why I have a huge safe, and insurance.

You're right there are a bunch on there on picking locks. I hadn't seen them before.

Makes you feel its futile to lock everything up, but I believe in at least making it as diffuclut as possible to rip you off. Then maybe they'll go to an easier target.

Like the guy who said, when asked if he could outrun the bear said: "I can outrun the guy with me so thats all that matters..."

OldBlue...thanks for answering on the kids robbery.  The guy at the gun shop told them that his gun was stolen and turned up about 6 years later.  There's hope yet.  LOL.  Another odd thing they took was a ceramic 6 shooter in a lariat surrounded mirror with a ceraminc holster.  Just a decoration item.  The cops figured it was only one person and he only took what he could bundle up.

No matter how good your doors, windows, and locks are, they only keep out the honest crooks.  Anyone else will figure a way.  I told the kids when they get their new house to have a safe bolted to the floor.

Guns turn up at pawn shops.

More often than not. Keep an eye out at pawn shops in town if you get a gun stolen.

Look around in a pawn shop some day. It will give you a good idea of what crooks like to pawn, ergo what they like to steal.

Guns, jewelry, musical instruments, amps, car radios, speakers, tools, etc.

The thing about guns is they have a serial no. and a 1029 and DROS has to be done before they can be sold.

Curt Dalton can give more information on guns and pawn shops.  I think he addressed it a while back.

The guy at the gun shop told the kids that the cops called HIM and told him his gun had turned up in a crime and that as soon as the investigation was over, he could have it back.

I have had 2 guns taken in 2 separate burglaries here in town. One was to my apartment in 1978 and the other to a car in 1994. I had the serial numbers for both, like I do with all my guns. The first one showed up about 10 years later at a pawn shop in Oakland. It was in good condition, except the wooden grips had nail indentations  n the bottom where some moron used it as a hammer. The second gun showed up about 6 months after it was stolen next to some little Hispanic gang member who got into a shoot out with some other bangers off of Bernard St. The kid got shot and was found in an alley with my gun next to his hand. To bad the little punk didn't die.

FYI, the BPD has a technician , Jim White, who is assigned to detectives and his main job is to check what is pawned everyday here in town. He does a good job keeping an eye out for stolen property.

pawnbrokers have a strong lobby in Sacto

laws are favorable to their interests

not necessarily the public

Over the years, I've figured out that THE VERY BEST defense is a serious deterrent. THE VERY BEST deterrent is a BIG DOG in the house!

Rather than bother with a BIG DOG, it's just easier to go somewhere else. A 50+ pound dog makes it not worth the trouble. Even home invasion isn't worth it, when said dog sleeps on the foot of your bed. I can guarantee that nobody will sneak in on me, in the middle of the night either.

I've got a 47 pound Standard Poodle who sleeps on my bed. When I spank my kids, I've got to put her in another room. She's THAT protective of the peace in our home.

Poodles are smart and courageous.  I loved our Terripoo;  she got the best of both breeds.

I have a rottie/aussie mix & a queensland/dingo mix.  all people have to see is the two of them at the door and the people are back out on the sidwalk before I even get there!!!

When an alarm company called about their product, I told them I already had an alarm - 100 lb rottie! If they get past her the meet & greet committe will be smith & wesson!!!

My furball is in the house when I'm gone and he is a holy terror with the noise.  When the mail comes (it's a mail slot in the wall) he goes completely bonkers and sounds like he'd tear your throat out.  The big one guards the yard when I'm gone.  When I home, both are in the yard together and will hit the fence about mid high when they don't know someone.  The noise, again, is deafening.  I don't know is they'd rip anyones head off or not since no one dares to try it.

At night the big one is beside my bed and the little furball is either at the foot of my bed or in his favorite chair by the window.  Well, that's only when I'm sleeping..the rest of the time he's in the bay window on his furry pad doing his sentinel duties.  I pay them well so they never go on strike.  Dog cookies, treats and chewys.

Yup..I have indoor and outdoor alarms and each comes with a built in garbage disposal.