prop guns

[Ren2015]

Hi does anyone know what the policies are in regards to prop guns used in conjunction with a cosplay is? My partner is going as The Punisher and is curious as to what will be allowed

[Queen_Sindel]

This is from our old cosplay rules topic: 3. Props Rules

All weapons and props must be checked at the Cosplay desk on first arrival and approved by staff before allowed into the convention.

Your prop may not be allowed to enter the Convention for one or more of the following reasons:
• Too large/unwieldy
• Blocks corridors/doorways or is likely to hit or inconvenience others
• Too heavy
- If it's heavy, it can hurt, especially if dropped
• Too hard
- No props made of hard wood, or any sort of metal
• Too sharp or spiky
- No sharp bits or edges, make sure they're sanded/rounded/padded/covered or otherwise protected adequately
• Too realistic
- No realistic replica weaponry without obvious 'Blaze' (brightly coloured) tips and the weapon itself being out of use, of course.
• No weapons that can fire any sort of projectile, even foam darts or water, unless it can be shown to be empty and/or that only some parts have been used for the prop.
• No actions which may lead event staff, attendees or members of the general public to believe you are in possession of a real live weapon, even at a distance. In these cases it is not only up to our (Staff) discretion; we do also have Venue Security in place who will have to approve it.
• No pyrotechnics, explosives (including cap-guns) or incendiary items
• Actual weapons (including airguns, deactivated guns, blunted/sharp knives or swords, live bows or slingshots) are expressly prohibited

In all cases, the weapon or prop must be no longer than 1.6 m (5.2ft). Any items longer this may be used in the Masquerade only and must be handed in to Registrations & Help Desk for safekeeping until then. If they are not handed in prior to the Masquerade they will not be permitted in the event itself

Please know that these rules are here to assure we have a safe Conventions for both Staff and Attendees. If you have been asked to put your prop away please be so kind and do so or in an extreme case you might risk being escorted from the Convention.

A general safe rule is;
‘If you were to be hit with it repeatedly, would it break before you do?’
- If your answer is ‘no’ here then it means that someone could get hurt were this to happen. In which case we would recommend you leave it at home just so you don’t get disappointed once at the Convention.