So I'm thinking about going to Anime North.

last time I checked real guns and swords were banned from cons...

prolly. but at some of the large can real guns aren't allowed but real swords would be.

Actually I remember something like this. I remember going to Otakon and their site explicitly said no real weapons of any kind.

Then I saw this stand that sold authentic swords and I wondered to myself how someone could buy one and have it in the con without getting in trouble. Here they put brown paper around it and you have to keep it in its paper covering.

:shock: otakon said that?! wtf, mate?! otakon is huge. i've seen people wielding full-sized tetsaiga and buster sword walking around that con!

perhaps real metal but not able to cut?

Weapons at Otakon

Weapons NOT Permitted

Weapons not permitted at Otakon include, but are not limited to the following:

NO LIVE STEEL at all will be permitted on the premises of the BCC. Live steel is defined as swords, knives, bayonets, and/or other objects made of metal, which can take an edge. This holds true regardless of whether the object is actually sharp. This includes star knives/shurikens. A sheathed sword is still live steel as is any metal armor.

NO GUNS of any kind will be permitted. Examples include, but are not limited to, pellet guns, BB guns, air guns, crossbows, dart guns, blowguns, water guns, or water pistols. Real guns, replicas of real guns, stun guns, and tasers are also prohibited. The ONLY exception to this rule will be prop guns or resin models that are easily identifiable as toys, provided that they possess no moving parts and are clearly marked with a non-removable orange tip.

No "paddles", of any sort, will be allowed at the convention. This includes, but is not limited to Yaoi/Yuri Paddles.

All "airsoft" guns are prohibited, including any gun that has ever been an "airsoft" gun, even if they are no longer operational. This includes all "airsoft" spring, gas, or electrically operated guns.

Nunchaku are not permitted.

Explosives or chemicals of any kind including, but not limited to, smoke powder, sparklers, and fireworks, are not permitted at the con.

Finally, if it is illegal outside in the City of Baltimore and/or State of Maryland, it is illegal inside the BCC.

Illegal weapons will be reported to the appropriate authorities.

Weapons Permitted

Staves, bo sticks, boken, shinai, and wooden swords will be permitted as long as they are handled responsibly and meet all other criteria. For information on wooden paddles see above in the items which are not permitted.

Fake, prop, or made-up weapons (i.e. made of tissue paper, plaster of Paris, cloth) are permitted if they are safe and not dangerous to others around you. (Dangerous conditions include, but are not limited to, wires sticking out, items that trip others, clothes lining someone, etc.)

Prop weapons shall be limited to less than six feet six inches (6'6") in height and less than fifty pounds (50lbs) in weight.

Any metal chains are to be less than three feet (3'). This includes, but is not limited to chain wallets or any non-costume chains as well.

Behavior with Weapons

Misuse of any weapon or prop, such as swinging it in a public area or causing hazards to others, will result in the weapon or prop being deemed unsafe for the convention.

If a weapon or prop is deemed unsafe for the con, we will ask you to remove the weapon or prop from the convention and store it in your private quarters (your home, hotel room, or car).

Any weapon purchased in the Dealer's Room must be boxed and removed from convention property immediately, and should remain boxed and stored in your private quarters. Weapons are not to be taken out of their packaging or wrappings while on BCC property.

All props and weapons brought into the convention may be inspected and approved or rejected by Otakon staff, including those that may have prior approval (other conventions, previous conventions, or pre-convention approval by Otakon staff).

Any item that poses a potential safety hazard is subject to challenge and may need to be removed from the convention. For example, any costume, prop, or accessory which is too wide or bulky to maneuver the halls safely may be disallowed.

In the event your weapon/prop is approved by one staffer, and is contested by another, the head of Spec Ops will make a final ruling. Please note that just because a staffer has not stopped you to check your item, does not mean that the item is allowed.

All decisions made by Otakon and/or the Public Safety Staff of the Baltimore Convention Center are final.

That too. I've seen plenty of weapons from metal - but they don't cut, and most likely were bought.

For example:
http://www.getprice.com.au/Final-Fantasy-Clouds-Full-Size-Buster-Sword-52-Overall-Gpnc_469--35156714.htm

For the safety of all con attendees, the following policy towards such items will be strictly enforced. Costumers are expected to read and comply to it completely. Failure to do so will result in warnings and potentially loss of convention membership.
Please note that certain exemptions to rules 3, 4, or 7 may be considered for the purpose of the Costume Masquerade. If you wish to submit a weapon or routine for special consideration, please consult with the Masquerade Director prior to the masquerade registration deadline.

1. NO live firearms. Removal of firing pin or bolt does not negate this rule!
2. NO prohibited weapons (as defined by applicable Canadian Laws).
Examples include (but are not limited to):

*
o Bali-Song ("butterfly knife") or switchblade/dropblade style knives.
o Nunchucks, Tonfas, Shurikens, or similarly restricted Martial Arts Weapons, which are illegal under the Criminal Code of Canada (foam models of these items are permitted).
o Law Enforcement items such as Batons, Tazers or Mace.

* No Replicas of Contemporary Firearms (i.e. beginning from the era of revolvers - U.S. Civil War forward to any currently manufactured firearms).
* All weapons must be holstered, sheathed or slung in an approved fashion.
* Weapons will not be drawn or displayed outside of convention function space (except in the privacy of a hotel room), or in any public or crowded area except for specific photo ops areas.
* Due and full consideration must be given to physical safety and peace of mind of other persons at all times, this includes the general public and venue staff, not just other convention attendees. Translation: The archaic and juvenile practice of "freaking the mundanes" will NOT be tolerated in any form or fashion at any time!

*Mundanes: Your friends who keep asking you if you're still into that weird cartoon stuff / normal mortals who do not understand anime or related hobbies.
* All weapons or large props must be checked and authorized by the Weapons Masters at the Weapons Registration tables at the TCC (see pocket program). Upon approval, the weapon(s) will be bonded and your convention badge marked accordingly.
* Any weapons which fail to meet the safety criteria of the Weapons Masters must be immediately (and discreetly) returned to storage (e.g.: your hotel room or vehicle) for the duration of the convention or be checked by the Weapons Master. Please note it is your responsibility to pick up your checked weapons. Any props or weapons left with the Weapons Master beyond the close of registration Sunday become the property of Anime North.
* Convention Security and ConCom members reserve the right to inspect weapons, peace bond and convention badge markings at any time. Any signs of tampering will be referred to the Weapons Master for confirmation of authenticity.
* Horseplay (of any kind, whether participants are consenting parties or not) with weapons will not be tolerated. All persons involved may be penalized depending upon the nature of the severity of the offense. All complaints of behavior of this nature will be dealt with immediately by Anime North.
* Failure to adhere to one or more of the above rules will result in any or all of the following penalties being swiftly enforced.

*
o Immediate loss of the privilege to carry weapons
o Expulsion, without refund, from the Anime North Convention
o Any act of gross negligence or public endangerment may result in criminal charges beyond the control of Anime North (please remember that the general public may have no idea that the convention is in progress and may react in the extreme if they feel threatened).

or to some gang member why you're dressed like naruto.

:lol: i need to make a video of thiat with my friends :lol:

do as you wish :P