Yes, I am in favor of the intent to licensing, but would prefer it to be at the local level who knows us better.  Do all the background checks you want.  After 27 years in business, I think if I didn’t have the customer’s best interest at heart we would not still be here.

Around Roanoke, locksmiths are not competing over each other as much as in more crowded area of Virginia; we deal more with box stores, door & hardware stores, handyman, carpenters, and tow truck operators, etc. We have all found our nitch and try to help one another out, It’s called being in Business, this law was suppose to be about protecting the public and not about competition.  No one that cuts a key, sells a lock, rekeys locks, or installs locks should be exempt.  This is an unfair tax.

I have to have part-time workers trained for 16 hours of lecturing (not hands on experience) on locksmithing to be able to cut keys.  Box stores are exempt, why?  I can’t have a student under the age of 18 to help out and learn the trade, why?  Both can go to a box store and work without licensing and training!  Unfair.

After over 27 years of earning the community’s trust and support, I am proud to call myself a locksmith.

I could go on for days, I just thing we, for the most part, all agree a license is a good idea, but not this one or not being processed through the DCJS.

Please stop this bill and allow more input.

What is the rush, you already have our money and DCJS is overwhelmed with questions that have come up!

I received my letter for comment on December 8, 2008 and the deadline was December 12, 2008.  At least you need to extend comment until after the holiday season.  Be fair!

Let’s get a license law we can all live with.

David Frydrych