A Convention's weapon prop policy...

Hello everyone:

The Anime Expo convention in Los Angeles, California (The largest anime convention in North America) recently posted their revised weapon policy for props at their convention.

Here's an excerpt from their weapon policy:

"Water guns, squirt guns, and non-functional toy guns (toy guns that do not launch any form of projectile) will only be approved if they are one of the following colors: white, bright red, bright orange, bright yellow, bright green, bright blue, bright pink, or bright purple; either singly or as the predominant color in combination with other colors in any pattern; or are transparent or translucent. "

http://www.anime-expo.org/general-in...eapons-policy/


In the past, many 501st members have also attended this convention. But with the revised weapon policy, Imperial Stormtroopers and Mandalorians would not be allowed to carry their blasters around, unless it's painted with bright colors at this convention

And yes, Jango Fett's blaster will also be disqualified because it's silver.

(Somehow it doesn't look right to me to have Boba Fett carrying a bright neon yellow colored blaster.)


At their forums, a costumer asked if a Imperial Snowtrooper blaster falls within the guidelines of their weapon policy.

The Anime Expo staffer answered with:

"The black Snowtrooper rifle, though it is meant to be a "futuristic weapon", it's not obviously so. Even less so if the gun were to be viewed from a distance. The white plastic toy alternative on the other hand will be allowed."

http://forums.anime-expo.org/index.p...st=40&start=40


In the past, Anime Expo has been very lenient with their weapon policy but strangely enough, they have gotten more & more restrictive each year.


This policy actually isn't unique. There are other anime cons that are even more restrictive with their weapon prop policy.


So far, Dragon Con and San Diego Comic Con has been quite lenient with their weapon prop policy as compared to conventions like Anime Expo. The Star Wars Celebration conventions have also been lenient with their weapon prop policy. (The Los Angeles Police Department didn't have a problem with the 501st carrying their blasters.)

What do you all think? Are conventions in the future going to get more & more restrictive with their weapon prop policy? Is this a growing trend among conventions or will it remain with just a few conventions?

I hope the day never comes when Mandalorians/Imperials/Rebels/bounty hunters are not allowed to carry any type of props or costume at a convention.

I understand why they would do this...but I don't like it! Taking away the weapon takes away from the costume, IMO.

Anime Central, in Rosemont, IL, simply requires you to get a "tag" from Con Security before you can patrol with a weapon of any sort. Usually, it's just an orange neon zip-tie put around the trigger guard, or something along those lines, if I recall. It HAS been a few years since I've attended...

I belong to Garrison Excelsior, we are the 501st for Upstate NY. I"m currently a TK and will eventually be a Boba Fett. I recently trooped an event at the Empire State Plaza. Since it's a government facility, they said no prop weapons that may be confused with a real weapon, which allowed lightsabers. Security for the event was pretty tight for the "staff". State Troopers had to log us in and were allowed to check vehicles if they so chose. I understand all of that since it's a government building.

We just did a mall evnt, once again, no weapons. During the event a little boy came up to me with one of the new white clonetrooper rifles. How the hell did he get away with getting it into the mall ? Besides that, how can a store be allowed to carry and sell toy weapons if the mall has this policy. it should be all or nothing.

I continue to offer this solution to my garrison:

Put all prop weapons in a tote, let the vent organizers or security inspect them, and then let THEM distribute them back to the costumed people. If need be, put an orange cap on the end of the barrel, or the zip tie method.

It makes me feel naked, so to speak, to not have my blaster. It is part of the character. It makes me almost want to say, "No, I'll skip this event". I brought my blaster to a mall event in December, not knowing they weren't allowed. Security walked by time after time, never saying a word. Later, the security folks came by and took pics with us.

I understand the need for safety and security. It's a sign of the times. But has it gotten so bad that people have to fear that costumed characters could be terrorists in disguise? Isn't there some way to work out a solution with the security folks? In my opinion, the "no prop weapon" policy adopted by malls, etc. is fine for the general public, but as an event participant, I think there could be an exception made because we are there for a specific purpose, most often a fundraiser.

It's extremely frustrating.



Donald Duck walks around Disney World, he does not wear any pants. What's up with that ?

I have only been trooping since last September with my local garrison. I have been at events in costume and have had the cops show up twice with reports of "masked people with guns" who look like they are up to no good. They usually laugh and pose for a picture with us.

We have also had problems at mall events where they won't allow us to wear helmets or carry a blaster. Pretty cool huh?

I think there is a serious isssue if people think you are going to rob somebody while wearinga 3000 dollar suit.

I walked in the French Quater here on a couple of occasions sporting my blasters and have not had a problem. Cops typically stop to take pics. However we have done troops where blasters were not allowed.

You know the country/world has gone to **** when costumer's for a charity event can't carry "space guns". Unfortuntely I don't see a way around it, when you have nut jobs running into malls or nursing homes shooting random people.

This is exactly why I don't go to this convention. Color the weapons in a bright color? c'mon man, be serious. Why not have some guy in a booth for $10 an hour checking weapons at the bloody door to see if they are real or not. I'm not about to paint my $400 Hyperfirm bright orange!

this is a stupid idea. What's to stop someone from painting a real gun those bright colors? Put it in a holster and it looks just like a fake one.

See, what makes no sense to me is, at cons I go to, you have to get your "weapon" prop inspected and tagged first before going into the con... this makes sense... a bright purple blaster? That doesn't justify anything, it still looks like the same exact weapon, just a different color... Painting an AK47 yellow does't make it any less of a weapon, how does having colored props really change anything? It's a color... That sounds rediculous...

El1te

Originally Posted by Bountyone

This is exactly why I don't go to this convention. Color the weapons in a bright color? c'mon man, be serious. Why not have some guy in a booth for $10 an hour checking weapons at the bloody door to see if they are real or not. I'm not about to paint my $400 Hyperfirm bright orange!

I agree, the people in charge obviously are not costumer's themselves because what half intelligent person would paint a giant Lewis gun or DC-15 hot pink.

It may not be screen accurate to whatever version you have, but as Fett you could always carry the tuning fork thing from the holiday special. That way you have a weapon that isn't a funky color, doesn't look real, but is actually something that Fett does have and use at some point.

I agree that painting a gun a bright color is dumb on lots of levels. I have also thought about it from the "bad guy's" perspective and thought about how easy it would be to put an orange tip on a real gun (or in this case paint the whole thing). Having someone inspect the weapons makes so much more sense.

Unfortunately, the restrictions will probably only get worse. I will probably only be a matter of time before some nutjob paints and automatic assault rifle hot pink, and gets it past security somewhere, then goes postal Then all our blasters will all stay at home for display only

if you can't carry your blaster, then what's the point point of putting the costume on?

if i see 5-10 tk's without blasters ,the effect is gone.

TK's are actualy better shots without the blasters.

Also, what will I do with my Glock 17 when I go to Anime Expo? (Oh that's right...paint it yellow. )

California, MORE LIKE LOLIFORNIA

I'm not surprised. Their taking away real guns from rightful owners, they are just expanding on that. Pathetic and unconstitutional

simple solution: stop attending those cons.

Originally Posted by volkerc

simple solution: stop attending those cons.

What he said.

Honestly, isn't this just a way for cons to get away with having less security?

If there was a con here that was being anal like that, I would not even bother going. They should be looking for fake bomb's then stopping costumers, anyone remember that fiasco at CIV?

Originally Posted by Hakaider

Anime Expo's current policy is that the props also can't be replicas of assault rifles so even if the AK-47 or M-16 rifle toy is colored pink, it's still not allowed. The toy guns can't be constructed with materials out of metal either. (This means Boba Fett's fork weapon from the " Christmas Special" version wouldn't qualify if it's constructed out of metal.)

I saw one costumer being escorted out by the con staff last year because he carried a toy assault rifle. One costumer's prop was refused by the staff because it was a toy M-16 rifle even though it was purple neon green and the wrong size.

The con staff's reasoning behind this change in weapon policy is that the police officers would mistake the weapon props for the real thing in the dark or at a distance.

A bright purple and neon green M-16 assault rifle, half the size of the real thing?

Okay, I seriously doubt some terrorist or nut would go all the lengths to re-create an entire Fett or Stormtrooper outfit just to go and shoot a bunch of people. But if they wanted to have real gun, paint it in bright rainbow colours and cake it in enough plastic parts so it doesn't look like a real gun? Yeah, that's do-able if they were so inclined.

So inspect the weapons. (shrug)

It is not mine, but this is a REAL AR-15. It is not a toy. So is this allowed at the convention?

just another reason why I hate anime. Got a sword 6 times as big as you are? "Fine come on in", got a westar blaster? "stay out unless it's green."

Originally Posted by mandosoldier

just another reason why I hate anime. Got a sword 6 times as big as you are? "Fine come on in", got a westar blaster? "stay out unless it's green."

It's almost like they are discouraging costumes that aren't anime related, I can kinda understand why, but that's not the best way to go about it.

I don't know how it works outside of the UK, but events - including a few cons - that the Galactic Knights attend here in Britain have somewhat similar restrictions. Often prop weapons are required to be presented to a Weapons Desk were they are checked over and certified as unrealistic and -obviously- not real.
The Galactic Knights - and I can only speak for them not any other costuming group - have been exempt from these rules, often in part because we are invited to troop there by the event themselves - so they know we have various prop weapons on us.

LOL also "no signs" *** is this? no pointy objects, no signs, no guns, no metal objects. Aren't the above the requirements of Anime costuming? large pointy metal things and signs reading "Hug Me", "Healiadin For Sale" etc...? and the forum censors w t and f keys if used in order? ***?

Most Anime Costumers go to cons with exhibition katanas and knifes and wave them like if they were experts... Try hiting someone with a Katana (exhibition or not) you are going to cause a lot of damage and pain... That it's a real weapon... And they allow them without a problem... At least here in Argentina...

well if you ask me that really sucks

this is another ridiculous case of people that know nothing about guns or gun safety trying to heap their personal opinions of firearms/weapons onto the general public. These conventions really should be slapped. Did they even consult law enforcement or costuming groups before posting these bans?? The weapons/props are integral.

What would a Doc Holliday or Marshal Dillon costume look like if you took away the guns? POINTLESS! Its the same way with and weapons themed costume!

I realize that HUGE weapons and REALISTIC weapons (such as blank guns) should be banned, but thats a matter of common sense. Law enforcement officers can tell the difference between an AR-15 and a westar blaster. It doesn't even take a second.

At least a little real compromise! Make all convention weapons have orange barrel tips. Make every costumed convention goer check in, hand their props over to an experienced security officer, let him check it over, and if its got a orange plugged barrerl/obviously cannot be modified to fire, then let it pass! Each person would take about 5 seconds.


Its bad enough when I have to deal with gun grabbing bureaucrats that think an AR-15 is far more powerful than an Ruger mini-14 and therefor shouldn't be carried by officers in their cars. (Gun guys will understand my point. .223 vs. .223??? I had to sit down and explain reality to a state rep. ouch.) Now I have to argue with people why one fake gun isn't more dangerous than another!! SHEESH!

dankenman beat me to it.

I've seen that AR-15 before and that is EXACTLY where my mind went when I saw this.

Inspection is definitely the way to go. Banning all weapons that aren't neon colors is just kind of stupid. As has been ably pointed out, in that sort of world, the Stormtroopers will be boxing and Hello Kitty will kill us all.

=p

There's irony there somewhere, I'm pretty sure.

zip tie the triggers and call it a day

the way that the security guy at dragoncon tagged my weapons was perfect. big hot pink zip tie across the trigger and handle, leaving the trigger fully depressed. totally obvious when holstered, easily concealed for photos.

and these were realistic guns (a couple of models of airsoft mp5) with no orange tips (accurate replicas vs. costume accessories, so the orange tips would kill the look)

there are more than just the brightly painted AR-15's. If you search hard enough there are gun makers out there that offer several other Real, Brightly colored guns

This might be a pipe dream, but I guess the only option would be to just boycott such events and hurt them where it hurts the most: THE WALLET. And tell them why. If enough fans got together the policy would change REAL QUICK.

In Norway we seldom come across restriction such as these, on the other hand we have a little more thought through policy on owning weapons over here, so the chance of something like a massacre are a lot slimmer than in the US and some other countries.

But, if an event or con over here were to restrict use of the prop weapons, I would not attend.

Originally Posted by dankenman

It is not mine, but this is a REAL AR-15. It is not a toy. So is this allowed at the convention?

thats funny .

We are talking about The Peoples Republic of California. I am sorry but you could not pay me any amount of money to live there. When you remove the rights of "citizens" to own firearms you become "subjects". Its just the way California and other "Democratic Free Thinkers" are going.
I am a cop in one of the most TERRORIZED cities in the world. Oklahoma City. We are reminded daily with NYC and DC what terrorism is. The media has portrayed school shootings and business shootings like the guns are the problem and that this is some sort of "New Crime Wave".
People let me tell you, domestic terrorism is nothing new to the USA. Google "Andrew Kehoe" and Bath School Disaster. This happened in 1927 and most americans have no idea it ever happened. The media has an agenda like these anime's do. They don't want the non-anime tumes running the show.
Just remember that if guns kill people then pencils cause mispelled words.
Just my two cents from a ten year veteran officer from a major city police department. The world has lost its sense of humor and ability to think for itself...IMO

Just remember that if guns kill people then pencils cause mispelled words.
Just my two cents from a ten year veteran officer from a major city police department. The world has lost its sense of humor and ability to think for itself

Here, Here!!

It's LA. Crazy things happen there. Rodney King, N.W.A., Pretty Woman.

I have been keeping an eye on this topic and was just reading the Weapons policy for Anime Expo which stakes that you can't bring any form of weapon in BUT once you have purchased one from within the Expo it must remain wrapped and removed from premises. What freaking hypocrites! If this **** migrates here to Oz I'll consider leaving. It appears common sense no longer prevails in OUR galaxy any more.

The answer is relitively simple. IF your group - Galactic Knights, 501st, Mercs or however is trooping an event then have your command staff check with the organisers beforehand to ensure that you are exempt for the rule that applies to the general public.
I don't know how it works for other countries, but here we "work" the event - so we don't pay to get in and we aren't subject to any prop weapons restrictions. Perhaps that's the way to go.
IF the event organisers turned around and said to us "actually, you can't carry those weapons" we'd not attend. IF we had arrived and they then said that then we'd leave.

Whilst it sucks that they are doing this to all costumers - it should be possible for those in various groups to get around these kind of rules.

Most of the time we usualy have to pay to get in....I know other UK groups do what Orthar posted above though. It sounds WAY better than going in as a single person trying to do something IMO. However, being in the UK, I'd think it'd be harder to get the prop weapons there in the first place.

Most of the time our clans check ahead of time to see what restrictions the event has, but at Orthar also states above...we rarely run into this because 90% of our troops are in a "hired" (you hire mercenaries right? =P) status.

I personally have never been tagged at a convention, and I've never been asked by staff to get a weapon tagged at any con (DCon and SDCC included). I only pull my pistols for pics, and rarely carry anything larger than a pistol...so that may have alot to do with it. I don't care for the brightly colored tape on my nice weapons, and don't go out of my way for them to put it on. =P

The media has an agenda like these anime's do. They don't want the non-anime tumes running the show.

Actually, the weapon policy doesn't single out any genres. The weapon policy singles out ALL genres, whether it is Star Wars or anime. If anything, the weapon restrictions are going to hurt the anime costumers just as much as the Star Wars costumers. (Just go to their website and read their policy. You can see that it applied to all costumers alike.) 501st costumers have been going to this particular con for years , but this new revised weapon policy is going to hurt both Star Wars and anime costumers alike.

You can't blame the entire anime genre for this convention's restrictive weapon policy. Traditionally many anime conventions have always welcomed Star Wars costumers, and I can tell you that the Japanese are totally crazy about Star Wars.

In fact, in Japan some of the costumers there have carried realistic looking props in the past at some of their events.

We are costumers...we are trying to look "real". I personally dont want to have to carry around unpainted nerf blasters or have my nice weapons covered in orange and pink tape...perhaps cons should have checkpoints before you enter to make sure that all weapons are safe...or something!!! Boomer and Django have great points... my two cents and IMHO...

Originally Posted by xfettx

this is a stupid idea. What's to stop someone from painting a real gun those bright colors? Put it in a holster and it looks just like a fake one.

yep....


i said the same thing about the zip ties even though i think those are a lot better than the paint...and more fair to people who are just trying to make the costume look as real as possible.


i think stricter check points for weapons should be used.....and maybe people on the floor as well making sure everyone's prop weapons are registered so in case of any incident the center knows exactly what you took in.



in the end....rules are just rules...if someone wants to do something stupid...they can find a way to

I can see why they would want to make such a ban... and well... as cool as blasters are, sometimes you just have to accept the rules. It's not like I'm going to see a stormtrooper and say "hey that guy doesn't have a blaster... LAME". I'll see him and say "that guy looks awesome". I think people are making a big deal out of what seems to be a non issue imo.

well said vod!!!

I would have to agree with the checkpoints. Every gunshow I have attended has an officer at the front to make sure your weapon is clear and the puts a ziptie on the trigger or slide so you can be assured its not loaded. Does he also check to see you don't have a knife or cutters to remove the ziptie??? NO! Its just so that a person that wants to look at your gun can feel assured that you have it unloaded. If a nut wants to bring in ammo and start blasting, FEEL FREE! He won't get his third round off before twenty gun dealing Oklahoma rednecks put a nice group in his chest and forehead.
Here is the kicker, these conventions are run by the gun hating left. I say this out of common sense. If a gun toting maniac was to come in with a shotgun in his pants or two glocks strapped to his chest are they going to catch him??? If a costumer wanted to hide an H&K MP5 in his rocket pack will it be found??? No! They want to avoid the perception that they condone the Second Amendment. They want the world to know that they are anti-gun and they send the message the way they can.
In Australia and England are you safer because they removed your rights to firearms or are the only people left with guns the criminals??? I know that Japan once made public after WWII that they refused to attempt to invade the US mainland because all us crazy Americans had guns....think about it...Perception...both sides...I digress

Toy gun, NO! toy rocket, sure!

El1te

Got my popcorn, this is a good one!!!!!!!




Not even going to get in this.

Let's not get too hasty here. This is about prop weapons at cons, not the 2nd Amendment or right to own firearms. Let's try to remember that so this thread doesn't get locked and we can still have fun.

That being said, I'm really angry about this, even though I'll never go to an anime con. If these stupid policies keep going the way they are, soon you won't be able to wear any face coverings for "security reasons!"

Well said Boomer!!!

Sorry to get off topic. I agree with Boomer, and the way the country is moving right now it is only a matter of time before someone will be knocking on our door, looking to take any guns or ammo. Not to get into any politics, but if you don't think it's true ask any of your local gun dealers. Ever since November gun sales have been at a record high, the economy might be bad but people are buying up as many guns as they can.

lol it's funny, I'm very pro gun rights, yet I'm one of the only ones who came out on the opposing side for this. Honestly, I'm fine with the guns, but I also understand why they are choosing to ban realistic looking toy guns. Even in stores today, you would b hard pressed to find a toy gun that is not green or pink. While I'd love to carry a blaster, it won't make or break the convention for me. Anyways, that's my two cents lol

I spoke to an event organisor and they told me it is due to the visitors being scared by the 'blasters, swords etc....' and thus effects the insurance requirements due to law suites. My take is if the few general public are scared of these replicas, props "what the hell are you doing here in the first place?!" Anime is the worst for sharp huge weapons! In a nut shell it's these morons who are effecting OUR hobbies. I think knitting needles are dangerous (joke) but I don't petition their hobbies. Fair go!

Originally Posted by BH Reaper

I spoke to an event organisor and they told me it is due to the visitors being scared by the 'blasters, swords etc....' and thus effects the insurance requirements due to law suites.

"Welcome to Health & Safety Con, before you come through the door we'd like to run through our safety procedures it'll only take an hour or two of your time. Don't forget to don your yellow hi-vis vests and safety hats. The member of staff by the door is checking to ensure everyone entering is proparly protected by a thick layer of cotton wool. Now we've gone out of our way to ensure all scary characters - orcs, Star Wars characters, Horror costumers and tv fitness personalities are made to look as cute and cudly as possible - we are very pleased with our main attraction Tiny Pink Darth Vader and his foam rainbow lightsaber. At 5 foot tall we hope you'll agree he's not very scary.

Attendies to this con are encouraged not to bring sharp objects - pens, pencils, sticks and the like. Anyone found to be carrying such an impliment must fit a pink rubber cap over the end or you'll be asked to leave.
We at Health & Safety Con hope you have a fun day, but not too exciting as it may exasperate any existing heart condition you may have"

I was once chased down by a police officer walking to my car outside a con because my Boba Blaster looked like a real gun. I had to put it in a plastic bag to cross the street..

OK, I don't blame them from wanting to ban "REAL" firearms from the con. I know there are people crazy enough to carry real gun with their costume instead of an air soft.... Yes, those guns that are not rendered usless, or antique firearms rendered in-opperable should not be brought to a con.

If you bring an airsoft... it shouldn't be allowed in with a gas cylinder, or charged, or full of pellets.

Any other gun or gun replica needs to be tagged or banded with a zip tie....

Any firearm needs to be bagged outside the convention center, so people unfamilar to the con don't see a malitia of people walking down the street..

I don't blame them to try to push for safety, and with the matter of checking the guns, if some dimwit handed me a "real" gun, I wouldn't even want to handel it at a con.

I've got a hyperfirm blaster for my TK, the dam thing will bounce if you throw it at the floor. If someone told me that I couldn't bring it to a con because it "looked" like a real firearm, and after inspection still told me not to bring it in, I would think they were slow!

Originally Posted by OrtharRrith

"Welcome to Health & Safety Con, before you come through the door we'd like to run through our safety procedures it'll only take an hour or two of your time. Don't forget to don your yellow hi-vis vests and safety hats. The member of staff by the door is checking to ensure everyone entering is proparly protected by a thick layer of cotton wool. Now we've gone out of our way to ensure all scary characters - orcs, Star Wars characters, Horror costumers and tv fitness personalities are made to look as cute and cudly as possible - we are very pleased with our main attraction Tiny Pink Darth Vader and his foam rainbow lightsaber. At 5 foot tall we hope you'll agree he's not very scary.

Attendies to this con are encouraged not to bring sharp objects - pens, pencils, sticks and the like. Anyone found to be carrying such an impliment must fit a pink rubber cap over the end or you'll be asked to leave.
We at Health & Safety Con hope you have a fun day, but not too exciting as it may exasperate any existing heart condition you may have"

MY HERO!!!!!

Here's a pic of slavefive and me from Anime Expo '06


notice the little brightly colored zip-ties on our triggers?
Feel safer now?
No. You don't.
because it's ridiculous.

Originally Posted by OrtharRrith

"Welcome to Health & Safety Con, before you come through the door we'd like to run through our safety procedures it'll only take an hour or two of your time. Don't forget to don your yellow hi-vis vests and safety hats. The member of staff by the door is checking to ensure everyone entering is proparly protected by a thick layer of cotton wool. Now we've gone out of our way to ensure all scary characters - orcs, Star Wars characters, Horror costumers and tv fitness personalities are made to look as cute and cudly as possible - we are very pleased with our main attraction Tiny Pink Darth Vader and his foam rainbow lightsaber. At 5 foot tall we hope you'll agree he's not very scary.

Attendies to this con are encouraged not to bring sharp objects - pens, pencils, sticks and the like. Anyone found to be carrying such an impliment must fit a pink rubber cap over the end or you'll be asked to leave.
We at Health & Safety Con hope you have a fun day, but not too exciting as it may exasperate any existing heart condition you may have"

:thumbup:thumbup:thumbup
Thanks for putting it perfectly vod.

It's actually very funny, and perfectly legal in the United States, as it should be and should continue to be. I would state however, that my blaster is based on an AR-15, and if it were not heavily modified I would not blame them for being... cautious. Since it is heavily modified, I would be very upset if told it was inappropriate. In my opinion, if you can prove that it is not a legitimate weapon you shouldn't have any problems, especially since the police see you in a costume and generally assume the weapons are not real, if they do ask... it's very easy to show that the weapon is fake.

Kal'ika

Originally Posted by stormshadow2100

thats funny .