This policy is a combination of convention rules and of the laws of the State of Texas.
Enforcement of these rules is enacted with Limited Tolerance. Any infraction of these rules may be met with expulsion from the convention without a refund as well as possible law enforcement involvement.
A weapon is defined as:
1. "Illegal knife" includes but is not limited to the following:
knife with a blade over five and one-half inches;
hand instrument designed to cut or stab another by being thrown;
dagger, dirk, stiletto, and poniard;
bowie knife;
sword; or
spear.
2. "Club" means an instrument that is specially designed, made, or adapted for the purpose of inflicting serious bodily injury or death by striking a person with the instrument, and includes but is not limited to the following:
blackjack;
nightstick;
mace;
tomahawk;
wooden sword.
1. No dealers will be permitted to sell any edged weapon or weapons that fire projectiles. Any dealer selling these weapons will be asked to remove the weapons from their display. Failure to comply will result in the dealer being removed from the convention space.
2. Participants may carry approved weapons as long as they pertain to a costume being worn at the time.
3. Drawing of weapons, horseplay or careless handling of weapons in public areas are not allowed and will result in loss of membership and expulsion from the convention.
4. All sharpened edges that are part of a costume must be sheathed and peace tied. You will need to check any weapon with Con Ops to make sure that the weapon is bound. The convention has final say on whether the weapon may be brought in. Practice swords and non-sharpened weapons must be tied to the belt or back scabbard.
5. All staves and pole arms must be kept vertical.
6. All non-sharpened weapons, wooden, and home-made will be checked with Con Ops.
7. Any realistic firearm, real or otherwise, will be checked at Con Ops. If Con Ops does not allow the weapon, it must be put in your room or vehicle.
8. The only times at which the live steel or weapon may be drawn will be as follows:
On stage at the costume contest.
In a designated area for photo ops.
Pre-approved Demonstrations.
9. Loaded projectile weapons are prohibited. This includes any pistol capable of shooting any projectiles (including water pistols, and air-soft).
10. All costume contestants planning to use weapons on stage must present their weapons for inspection and demonstrate their intended use for the staff at the time of the contest. Any unauthorized weapons or actions involving weapons onstage or backstage will result in disqualification and any further actions deemed necessary by Con Ops.
11. All persons handling weapons do so at their own risk. All decisions made by the staff regarding the Weapon Policy are final. Please note that the Weapons policy is subject to change and may be done so with or without advanced notice.
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