Expert: Terry V Andreasen (Andy) - 2/9/2012

Question
QUESTION: This is the inside part of a lock that has been in the back door of my office since I took over 30 years ago. In all these years no locksmith wanted to tamper with it as new locks were installed. Today I had the time and the courage to take it apart, remove the 3 or 4 coats of paint around it and used some Brasso. As you can see it cleaned up quite well and looks very neat. However, inside it has some kind of trigger mechanism that would hit a pin on a rectangular red box that I suspect contains the tear gas. 2 questions: How dangerous is it? and Does anybody collect this kind of lock. I also have the outside part and the part that goes on the door frame. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

ANSWER: Jorge,

First let me say that I have also never seen this particular device before, so I suspect that it wasn't designed to be installed on a safe.

Secondly, in general it is illegal to own CS/CN type tear gases without a special permit.  "IF" the lock is installed on a door, it could ALSO be considered booby trapping, which is a felony in many states - owners responsibility regardless of whether you installed it or not.  You will need to check into your state, local and federal regulations to see how this may affect you.

As far as how dangerous it is, this would depend on a number of factors.  First would be the quantity, second the size of the room that it is released in.  Third would be your (or any person in the room) health issues.  As CS/CN gases affect ALL mucueous membranes INCLUDING the lungs, it can be deadly to someone depending on the concentration AND how it affects THAT person.
Released into a room, it may take weeks to disperse sufficently to reuse the room or house.  Obviously if it is released out doors, the affects would be much more minimal as the chemical is dispersed over a much larger area, and it would also be gone much faster.

Transferring or selling this item may also add several federal felonies as this is considered a controlled chemical weapon.

If you want to keep the locking device as a collectible, the gas cylinders will have to be removed and properly disposed of.

Hope this has given you some "food for thought", and a direction to proceed.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The device has a Western 38 Special cartridge in it (which dates it back to at least the mid 70s). Any less danger as long as the red container (otherwise empty) is separate from the lock?

Answer
Jorge,

As long as the tear gas vials have been removed, it shouldn't be a problem, and if you leave it on the door, I think it would be a great "warning" deterent to people thinking about breaking in.

At a minimum it will make a great collectible, and someone who DOES collect locks may be interested.

I would probably remove the cartridge, however this by itself should not be a problem (legally) as it is not a booby trap, and should not be able to injure anyone.  The "tear gas chemicals" were the problem.