Kim Bohnet, president of the newly formed LockSport International (LSI), was kind enough to take the time to answer some of my questions about lock sports and the new organization.
Q: What is your definition of “Locksports”?
A: LockSports in brief, is the sport and hobby of lockpicking done in a legal and competitive manner either against a competitor(s) or against the clock with emphasis on speed.
Q: What do you see is the role of LockSport International?
A: The primary role of LSI is to globally bring together the locksport community in a legitimate, law-abiding manner, and to promote and give a “face” to an exciting, growing activity. By providing a central location for communication and contact, we can help legitimize the sport, and offer guidance to both established and starting clubs. Through membership fees we will be able to support and help form local, national, and international sporting events to bring both the budding enthusiast and the experts together for mutual benefit and enjoyment, ultimately culminating in a competitive championship series. We strive to provide a legal and safe atmosphere where enthusiasts can gather to enjoy their hobby without fear of reprisal or harassment.
We recognize and are thankful that our counterparts in Europe and the UK (TOOOL and others) have opened the way in their part of the world, but we’re looking not just at the Americas, but at a truly global network of association chapters that can be recognized and organized in a collective fashion for benefit to all.
Q: The LSI charter speaks of practicing locksports with highest ethical and moral principles. How will your organization address the potential ethical issues of lockpicking?
A: Good question. By organizing as a group we can have a strong united voice when it comes to not just the laws surrounding lock tools, etc.. but a voice when it comes to designing solutions to better the security of locks and associated hardware. LSI doesn’t exist just to find out the weakness’ of locks and locking systems, but to provide real solutions in making things BETTER.
In the Member’s Rules of Conduct and through the use of applications and membership cards with photo I.D., we’ve instituted a set of guidelines to help insure that association members conduct themselves according to the law, and specified disciplinary action should those laws, or the members rules of conduct be violated. We’ve discussed and implemented rules and
codes, and within the charter state that all law officers making lawful requests will be honored.
In order to have a strong association it is required that the members and and leaders uphold the highest possible set of standards some of which may be higher than the standards set by local jurisdiction of the member.
We believe that by promoting the sport in a highly ethical, legal, and organized fashion that few/if any issues will arise that cannot be dealt with in a proper and swift manner. We do not and will not condone illegal activity or the promotion of such activity of any kind, and will do whatever is within our ability to protect that reputation. Such disciplinary actions include expulsion from the association, and handing over of evidence to proper law officers as requested, and if we find out of a breach before the law enforcement officials do, contacting them in that regard.
At some point we may request adding criminal background checks to the application process, but it is extremely unlikely due to the many who now enjoy the hobby and sport with a high degree of moral, ethical, and legal practices.
Again, thanks to Mr. Bohnet for answering these questions.