Cosplay weapons question

[kelspook]

I have just noticed that the weapons guidelines appear to have changed extensively.

 

As my friend and I were planning on cosplaying two Stargate Atlantis characters, our weapons are rather integral to the costume. It isn't stated clearly and concisely, but are we to take the new guidelines to mean that any realistic replica weapons are now banned?

 

It was the case that plastic airsoft replicas were permitted, so long as they were checked and proved to be unpowered/gassed and unloaded. I would have thought that as the items were then restricted to within the arena itself, they were okay. Obviously I won't be defacing my perfectly legally owned airsoft rifle with horrible bright paint, so are our costumes now a no go? Being as we have already spent a lot of money on them, we need to know this pretty quickly so that we can try and do something else, if we decide to put the effort in a second time, that is.

 

Hoping for a swift response.

 

Cheers,

 

Terri.

[Cocomando]

as far as i can see not much has changed , their just making sure that they are following the law set down by the VCRA or violent crimes reduction act . which in part states that no imitation firearm can be modified to look like a realistic imitation firearm .

 

 

eg . you can take a kiddies toy (imitation firearm) and make it look like the real thing (realistic imitation firearm)

 

if you're a registed airsofter then you're p90 should be safe if it dosn't have the battery in or a loaded mag.

 

if in doubt i'm sure one of the mods will chime in ,as it's quite an important subject

[Queen_Sindel]

That's something TurkFox (who's running cosplay) will have to answer, none of the moderators are that familiar with the matter. She's at Midlands right now, but I'm sure she'll post here when she sees the topic.

 

It would be my understanding that if it's a hand held weapon you'd be okay as long as it's securely in a holster - peace bonded. That rule about peace bonding is why I'd personally guess a P90 is out, that one can't be peace-bonded.

 

What Turkfox posted here: http://showmastersonline.com/forums/index....showtopic=49064 also says that you won't be penalized if your costume lacks a weapon that would be part of it.

 

But I'm really just stating my opinion here, for definite info please wait for TurkFox.

[kelspook]

To be honest, we weren't worried about the comp. Being as everything has been bought from various places we wouldn't really be eligable, anyhow.

 

If weapon safety is the issue, why not attach a tamper proof seal over the battery compartment? They're cheap, and this could be done at the desk when we check in.

 

Example-

 

http://www.platinum-place.co.uk/TCAL6%20Ta...ee%20Labels.htm

 

Person on the desk checks it isn't powered, puts on a label, and if anyone attempts to put a battery in, the label would be destroyed. That would allow people to have things that can't be peace bonded, like P90s. And yes, I'm a registered skirmisher :)

 

Thanks for the replies!

[Reverend Scapegoat]

Could someone from SM please ask Turkfox to give me a ring on the Section 8 mobile when she has a moment?

 

Would like to have a chat, if she's in charge of cosplay this time round.

O7974 O26 517.

( Those are zeroes, just don't want the number picked up by spammers!

 

Thanks!

 

 

I'd be happy to deal with peace-tying of weapons, if you need someone with airsoft knowledge to ensure safety - I have a little bit of experience in the field

[kelspook]

Just wondering if we're ever going to get a definitive answer to this?

 

Been waiting nearly two weeks, think I've been quite patient....

[Queen_Sindel]

Have you tried e-mailing TurkFox directly? The e-mail she posted for questions in the Cosplay section is turkfox@hotmail.co.uk

 

Unfortunately sometimes postings may not be noticed in time.

[kelspook]

Okay, thanks, I'll try that :)

[TurkFox]

I've only just seen this now, I've replied to the email in question.

 

Also, QS is right - just covering all bases in terms of the law (actually sat and read through all the bills to check I wasn't talking nonsense) and making sure people know what's alright to bring. You wouldn't believe some of the events I've been to where people bring things that not only aren't safe for the event but sometimes aren't even legal!

[Cocomando]

this will put quite a blow to guys that are part of the Stargate costuming groups , i understand the bill quite well and fully support show masters for making sure that the events are run in acordance with UK law and the public made to feel safe .

 

How dose this effect people that are members of the 501st and the UKCM , as the weapons aren't real there science fictional .

 

if some say someone has a stormtrooper e11 would that be ok . Or like my custom mando which has a cheap airsoft body with all internals and working parts removed and has been mod'ed and painted to look like it's from the star wars univers , how would that fit in

[Reverend Scapegoat]

From experience, costuming groups known to Showmasters are able to use slightly more realistic weapons than random off-the-street cosplayers, as it were...

 

The VCR act only applies to the purchase or manufacture of realistic imitation firearms... The law has been unchanged for many years regarding their possession and carriage - ie. it's legal if you have good cause to have them where you are , have permission to be there with them from the land/building owner, and aren't causing genuine distress or fear to members of the public.

Edited April 30, 2009 by Reverend Scapegoat

[cargi1978]

Hi

 

It is an offence to have an imitation firearm in a public place. However, the legal position is you have a reasonable excuse for having the plastic weapons as part of fancy dress eg cowboy, marine etc.

 

This is established in Scots law!!!

 

My advice would be to carry your costumes/ props in a bag and put them on at the Arena.

 

It would be a different story if you were running around the shopping centre with the guns waving them about out of costume.

 

Just be sensible and you will be fine!!!

[TurkFox]

Technically, ALL weapons need to be checked by me even if people aren't entering the masquerade or whatever, but a lot of people don't bother. At that point I just sort of say, "Well, they had the opportunity to have it checked... if they didn't take that opportunity and security confiscate it, they can't say no one warned them!"

 

Some of you will have seen how many cosplayers were at LFCC with all sorts of weapons - but at the desk we checked four. Yes, FOUR weapons all weekend. If people have stuff checked, we can let them keep it under the table (at their own risk) if it's not suitable to carry around and they can pick it up when they leave. If they don't have it checked, security might just confiscate it or something if it breaks the rules.

Edited August 28, 2009 by TurkFox

[MartyMichaels]

I'll have weapons both days, where will you be so that I can get them checked? (I got them checked last year, it took like 30 seconds so I don't know why people don't bother).

 

^An excellent question.

 

What do you look like/where will you be, cause if I can't find you I can't get something checked.

[TurkFox]

There will be a cosplay desk, staffed by 3 people all weekend, so come up to any three of us and ask to have them checked.

 

Takes a few seconds and you get a little gold star on your weapon. Thats it.

[comawhite]

I'm lucky I'll have a phaser - if anyone thinks thats going to be unsafe, they need their head checked.

 

I'm not even allowed to carry a yellow water pistol (according to police officers who stopped me) in my tac vest, which makes one of my outfits a little redundant.