Our weapons policy is designed to be as free as reasonably possible while still keeping in mind the safety of everybody at our event. If you are not sure if a weapon is allowed, please be sure to check with us before bringing it to the event.
Please bear in mind that we want to keep things as open as possible. If you find a clever way to work around the rules, you’re just forcing us to create more restrictive policies, which makes the convention less fun for everyone.
No functional weapons
This includes any sort of melee weapon, firearm or other ranged weapon, or the like. Any weapon which cannot be legally owned by the average person due to federal, state, or city law is not allowed at the convention. Please use the following links for reference: eHow Article, Attorney General 1, Attorney General 2. As a general rule, if your prop is similar to any of those described below, it is most likely in violation of the weapons policy.
Any functional weapon purchased in the Exhibit Hall must remain in it’s original packaging and must be taken off the event site within thirty minutes.
- Melee weapons: This category includes any sort of metal weapon that could take an edge, even if it is currently unsharpened.
- Examples include swords, daggers/knives, axes, pole arms with metal heads, chain/rope weapons, and bludgeoning weapons (e.g. bats/paddles/maces/brass knuckles/plated gloves/etc…).
- Some wooden weapons are excluded. Please see the “Approved weapons” section.
- Firearms and other ranged weapons: This category includes traditional firearms, any other ranged weapon, the ammunition for said weapons, and thrown weapons.
- Examples include crossbows, blowguns, tasers, BB or pellet guns, paintball guns, and thrown weapons (e.g. throwing knives/shuriken/kunai/etc…).
- Miscellaneous weapons: This category includes explosives, fireworks, and any other device or material that we determine to be potentially harmful.
No dangerous behavior
Any action which risks the safety of a person is not allowed (further details in the Code of Conduct). Inappropriate use of an otherwise approved prop will be considered a violation of the weapons policy.
- No mock fighting: Live simulated combat is not allowed unless all involved parties have been given written approval from AM2. This includes martial arts demonstrations, with or without weapons, as well as impromptu play-fighting.
- No brandishing: Swinging or waving a prop in any way that could cause harm is not allowed.
- Dramatic poses: Dramatic poses are allowed. They are not considered mock fighting or brandishing since posing does not include motion.
Approved weapons
Nonfunctional prop weapons which follow the restrictions below are allowed at the event. Note that these weapons will still be peacebonded at designated booths.
- Peacebonding: All props which might be considered weapons must be brought to a Peacebonding Station for our SHIELD department to inspect. Approved props will receive a peacebond to indicate that we consider the prop acceptable. Removing or tampering with a peacebond will invalidate the inspection. We reserve the right to disallow any prop.
- No ambiguity: The prop must be easy to identify as a replica, even at a distance (about 10 ft). If the weapon has a sheath/holster/etc, it must be identifiable even while in this state. Note that airsoft weapons almost always break this rule, since they are designed to be realistic.
- No Metal: The prop weapon must not contain any metal. Exceptions can be made for metal that is decorative rather then functional.
- Aluminum foil generally counts as cosmetic, and is acceptable.
- Example: A sword with metal on the handle or guard is okay, but one with metal on the blade is not.
- On firearms, pretty much ANY metal is unacceptable.
- No massive weapons: The prop weapon must not exceed 7 ft in length or 25 lbs in weight.
- Functional wooden weapons: While technically functional, an exception is made for wooden staves, boken, shinai, and similar weapons. All other rules must still be followed.
- Chains: Chains must be made of plastic unless permanently integrated into a costume. Plastic chains may be any length, as long they do not become a safety hazard. If you or people around you can trip over it, it is probably a safety hazard.
- Metal chains must be part of your costume, and under three feet in length.
- Metal chains are not allowed as part of a prop/weapon.
- Firearms/etc: Below are the rules used to meet the non-functional and non-ambiguous requirements above. Note that all other rules for acceptable props still also apply.
- Non-functional: Any firearm/etc that was once capable of firing a projectile (e.g. BB, water, NERF dart, etc) must have the trigger removed. Props made from NERF guns or water guns will usually need their trigger cut off or need to be opened up to remove this part.
- Airsoft: Airsoft weapons are a special case: ALL INTERNAL MECHANISMS must be removed (not just the trigger). When you bring an airsoft weapon to be approved by our staff, you will be required to open it as proof.
- Bows: Wooden bows are allowed, but must remain unstrung (please leave the bowstring in your car or hotel room). Arrows are acceptable only if they cannot be fired and do not have metal arrowheads.
- No ambiguity: All firearms/etc must be easily recognizable at a distance as props.
- The best way to handle this is to use bright colors (such as orange or green) that you would never expect to find on the real thing. At least 25% of your prop should be colored like this. Note that this is just a suggested MINIMUM. The more of your prop that is brightly colored, the more you can be sure it will be approved.
- We understand that airsoft owners may not want to repaint their weapon. In this case, we recommend that you bring a roll of fluorescent gaffer’s tape with you. After it is inspected, you can tape the weapon to meet this requirement.
- Futuristic weapons that are very obviously fake are okay, but those that look realistic must use bright colors. We understand that these props can be expensive (such as Star Wars Master Replica Blasters), in which case we recommend using flourescent gaffer’s tape as suggested above for airsoft weapons.
Disclaimer
By entering any facility occupied by AM2, you are knowingly accepting and understood all the terms and conditions set forth from the Code of Conduct/Weapons Policy. In addition, you will abide by all rules, regulations and requirements set forth by AM2, the City of Anaheim and the state of California. You further agree to hold AM2, its staff/volunteers/partners/parent organization/exhibitors/contractors/vendors harmless of any injuries/accidents/death incurred during your participation at AM2.
