Weapons of Mass Destruction
Here is the A-KON wep policy
A-Kon® understands the desire of many fans to carry props during the convention to support a costume or character. While we could allow everyone to bring their homemade guns / knives / seven-foot long pole arms, we unfortunately must place limits on what you can safely carry around during the convention at large, and what you may use onstage during the cosplay.
A-Kon® reserves the right to refuse the entry of any prop or weapon it decides is unfit for the convention. All props or weapons must support the overall look of a costume or character. Wearing a prop or weapon for its own sake is not allowed. Misuse of a prop or weapon can be considered grounds for removal or ejection from the convention. Any display of an item in an aggressive or threatening manner, real or implied regardless of intent, or any other activity thought to be unsafe in the view of the Security Command Staff is strictly forbidden.
At any time, should a Director or Project Manager on the Phoenix Entertainment board see a weapon being carried or being used in an unsafe manner, the individual will be brought to the attention of convention Security.
Construction
Construction materials play a key role in what is to be allowed or not allowed for general use and display at A-Kon®.
The use of metals, hard woods, and industrial plastics are not allowed. Any PVC cores must be made of one and a half inch or small diameter, and cannot be of industrial plastics such as DC or electrical conduit.
Soft woods such as balsa or fir woods or light rattan make excellent choices for building materials as they are neither heavy nor hard if an accident occurs and someone is inadvertently stuck. (Another suggested material construction method is to layer cardboard (3 pieces) together using hot glue. Then just bevel the edges by slicing away a bit of the first and third piece at the blade edge and fill it in with some Model Magic making sure that the resultant edge is rounded and not sharp.)
Sharp edges on any material are not permitted, and must be filed, padded, or otherwise protected against unwanted contact.
A point on any material that is not soft to the touch (such as soft foam or fabric) is not allowed. Soft to the touch should at least have a one half inch give to it when pushed with a finger on the actual tip. If a soft tip is created, the underlying structure must support safely as well in case the underlying structure is exposed.
The use of varnish, shellac, or any other coating to make a soft weapon have a hard exterior is forbidden. The definition of "hard" in this case is a hardness that exceeds that such as raw balsa or fir woods.
Materials that can shatter, such as glass or brittle plastics, are not permitted.
Weapons
Staves are acceptable as long as they are comprised of a soft core wood such as balsa or fir, though as with all weapons, they must be checked in with security and tagged.
Any firearm that has the firing pin removed or barrel filled to make it unusable is still considered a "real weapon" and is not allowed, as it can be misconstrued by Dallas PD or convention staff to be a threat.
Replica and futuristic firearms are allowed only if such weapon cannot be misconstrued by Security Command Staff to be a real firearm. A cap made of bright colored plastic (orange, red, yellow) may be placed OVER the end of the barrel and secured against removal. This includes any weapon that may be "fired" such as a homemade replica meant to duplicate a character's weapon that you are portraying. While an obviously non-lethal weapon such as a water gun is allowed as a prop, filling said prop with water passes it into non-acceptable weapons group and is subject to removal from the convention.
Bows or other manual projectile replicas are allowed only if they are rendered incapable of firing a projectile. Airsoft weapons in any configuration are not allowed as props. Because Airsoft and other weapons are sold in the dealers room, a distinction must be made: all items purchased in the dealers room are merchandise until they are removed from their packaging, at which time they fall under the weapons policy, including, but not limited to knives, staves, airsoft weapons, projectile weapons, and combative clothing (such as metal wrist spikes.)
Misc. props such as metal costume spikes, metal lacing on costumes or other modification that could harm another with contact are forbidden.
Any weapon purchased at the dealer's room must be wrapped before leaving the vendor’s table so that it is not recognized as said weapon and then immediately taken to a room or car.
Personal firearms, while permitted by the State of Texas for individuals with a valid and current license for a concealed handgun, are not allowed into any convention space regardless of reason. Any individual caught with such weapon in a convention space will be asked to leave convention space and/or reported to local authorities.
Costumes
Costumes that could be confused with local, state, or federal law enforcement of any kind are not permitted on the convention floor. Security Command Staff reserves the right to determine if a uniform or costume resembles an unacceptable real world uniform at its sole and absolute discretion. Any and all costume and prop restrictions for the Main Programming Cosplay event will be at the discretion of the A-Kon® Cosplay Staff and not Security.
Exceptions
Some replica weapons such as swords or other props integral to a costume may be presented to Security Command Staff at the kiosk for consideration of peace bonding. Peace bonding is the securing by Security Command Staff of a weapon so that it cannot be drawn or used. Any tampering of the peace bonding is a violation of the weapons policy and is subject to removal from the convention.
The Dallas Police Department will be present on site, and they have the right to require removal of an item, above and beyond convention Security.
