I have been keeping my eye on eBay for used gun locks for police cars. I was wanting to mount something in my Jeep to secure a rifle when out and about. I was in LE years ago and we kept our shotguns mounted to the cages, and I was looking for a similar setup.
I had narrowed my choice down to the Santa Cruz SC-5 or SC-6. Prices on eBay go up and down, and I had missed a few good deals, so I set up alerts to my phone.
One night as I was falling asleep, I got an alert for one that looked good. It was an SC-5, butt plate, and mount for a roll bar. It was sold by a law enforcement supply place in Texas. The auction said it did not come with a key, but the electronics worked fine. I didn't think too much about the lack of key, I have seen several on eBay with no key. I just assumed these were usually bought at auction and keys were lost, etc. I figured I could get a replacement key from the manufacturer. The price was good, so I jumped, and then went to bed.
In the morning, I sent Santa Cruz an email asking how to get a key. They replied that I would need to send them pictures of the lock. A few days later, the package arrived from Texas and I took pictures and emailed them. Since it was the weekend, I had to wait for a response.
I got an email this morning, and it was not what I expected.
That is the SC-5 universal lock with the #2 flat key. That key is reserved for Law Enforcement and government agencies.
Do you have any similar credentials?
View Quote
I guess I don't need a key if the electronics work, but if there is some issue/failure with the electronics, then I have a stuck rifle.
So here's the big question - how big of a deal morally/ethically/legally would it be to try to get one of these keys through someone in LE? Is it verboten to even ask, or is it not that big a deal? I'd like to ask someone to get a key for me, but I don't want to get anyone in trouble.
If I can't get a key, then I'll probably keep looking for one that uses handcuff keys, swap that one for this one on the mount, and try to sell this one.
The lock/mount:
Thanks!