Locksmiths; repeals regulation thereof. (HB2603)

This is not the answer to a few minor issues with the Locksmith Law. The Roanoke Times wrote a poorly researched and misleading article in their paper. I will assume the Delegate is basing some of his decision to repeal the law on that article. When the Alarm Industry passed there law DCJS was the perfect place to monitor & enforce the law. Yes it took a little time to get everyone licensed and for everyone to understand the Law. The same thing applies here.

The largest complaint that I have heard from those who opposed to the new Law is that they will have to get a business license and proof of insurance. Yes those two items add to the cost of doing business, but they should have already had those items in place.

Felons, rapist, criminals of every type will once again be able to open a Locksmith business in Virginia any time they want if this Law is repealed. There is a very organized group of phony Locksmiths preying on the citizens of Virginia and many other States. They operate there scams pretending to be legitimate Locksmiths companies, they advertise very heavily in the phone books preying on people in need of locksmith services. They quote very low price on the phone & when they get to your house they bait & switch the consumer increasing the price three or four time the quote.

Joan Raybold, of Falls Church, a senior citizen is the latest victim to be ripped off by the scammers; she had her purse stolen, rushed home scared that someone had keys to her house. She opened the Verizon phone book and call several locksmith listed in the book, not realizing that she was calling the same company in New Jersey. They quoted 55.00 dollars and that they promised to be there in 15 minutes, well two hours later they showed up and a job that should have cost 75.00 to 100.00 dollars, cost her $660.00. She was scared and did not know what to do so she paid the man.

Any interested parties I have the invoice on my desk & I forwarded a copy to DCJS this morning.

This is the reason we need DCJS to enforce the new Law. Repealing this Law makes no cense at all. The Law has only been on the books for a few months and most Locksmith companies have spent hundreds of dollars complying with the new Law.

Most Locksmith Companies have already gotten their license. I have not heard of any legitimate locksmith businesses that do not have the new license in place.

I urge everyone to oppose this Bill HB2603.

Gary W. Ford, CRL
Eastern Safe & Lock Inc.
DCJS 11-5021
6826 Hill Park Drive
Lorton, VA 22079
703-926-4577

Does everyone seem to agree that the Phone Companies need to be regulated instead?

They are the main contributing part of the problem. After all the consistent problem each time is the phone books having scam/incorrect info.

Regulate the phone companies advertising instead or this will never end. They need to verify the legitamacy of their advertisers. Money talks as we see in so many ways.

Maybe the main locksmiths that helped push the current bill HB462 could assist in getting this done. After all they came up with the money for the lobbyist quick the last time. Money talks people as we have seen.

Review the current bills SB1359, HB2603 and HB1921 and give your opinions people, let your voices be heard.

Go after the phone companies that advertise for the crooks.. consumers still call those bogus locksmith phone numbers and will contuine to because they belive in the so called phone companies. So why should a legitmate locksmith company have to pay outrageous prices for licensing. Im in business to make a living not to give money to the state of va for not doing whats right.

HEY GARY , YOURE COSTING ALL OF THE SMALL LOCKSMITH COMPANIES MONEY.YOUR LOCKSITH LICENSE
IDEA IS NOT WORKING. GO AFTER THE REAL PROBLEM!!! THE PHONE COMPANIES FOR ADVERTISING FOR THEM.

THE CROOKS ARE ALL OVER THE INTERNET, PHONE BOOKS,
AND THE LICENSING IS NOT STOPPING THEM..

POP A LOCK IS NOW ADVERTISING 15 MINUTE RESPONE TIME. I WAS AN AAA DRIVER AND KNOW YOU CANT GET TO ANYONE IN 15 MINUTES.. UNLESS THERE AROUND THE CORNER. ALSO THE DRIVERS FOR POP ALOCK ARE NOT VA LICENSED ..SO HOW DO THEY DO THAT..GOOD JOB GARY ON THE LICENSE.

As an honest person who has done and can do locksmithing work the only effect of these laws was to put me out of business

This law has good intent, but in the hands of those who had pushed for it they were taken for a ride. The Delegates and Senators that signed this bill should hang their heads down. They did not read the bill. The Attorney Generals office and the Department of Public Safety has all failed in the lack of over sight on the Department of Criminal Justice which has been given this law to enforce.Their lack of ability to understand what we as locksmiths do,along with the none related polices that the the D.C.J.S. wish to impose on the locksmith are in conflict with State Code and VA. State code by not providing equal protection to the public under this law.