Weapons Policy

(From page 43 of the Policies and Procedures v.15.0.)

1. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO INSPECT AND REJECT ANY WEAPON AT ANY TIME.
2. VIOLATION OF THIS POLICY IN PART OR IN WHOLE MAY LEAD TO YOUR REMOVAL FROM THE CONVENTION BY CONVENTION STAFF AND FROM THE HOTEL BY HOTEL SECURITY OR LOCAL AUTHORITIES.
3. This policy includes all real and replicated weapons of any type that may be construed as a projectile weapon or any extension of the human body.
4. THE FOLLOWING ARE NOT ALLOWED AT ALL IN CONVENTION OR HOTEL SPACE: Tasers, stun-guns, batons, real guns (including but not limited to hand-guns, pistols, rifles, shot-guns, black-powder loaded, semi-auto or full-automatic weapons, other); pepper spray, crossbows, slingshots, pellet guns, water pistols, blowguns, catapults, or any type of functioning projectile weapon.
5. Peacebonding will be available next to the Information Table during open registration hours and in the Security Office when the Peacebonding table is closed.
6. Peacebonding is required on all weapons worn/carried on the hotel property including parking areas and indoor spaces. The only type of peacebonding allowed is that provided by the Convention. Fashion coordinated substitutes are not sufficient.
   1. NO unsheathed weapons are allowed in ANY public space (unless approved in advance for Masquerade or programming event in which bonding ties will be removed for such an event and replaced immediately afterward).
      1. All bladed/pointed weapons will be appropriately covered in all public areas and function spaces. This includes but is not limited to: daggers, swords, pikes, axes, and polearms, be they made of steel, plastic or any other hard material.
      2. Polearms, spears, staves, and other such weapons shall be kept upright at all times and have weapon heads sheathed and bonded. The ends of said weapons must never project more than 12″ from the bearer’s body.
   2. SPECIAL CONSIDERATION FOR THE FOLLOWING:
      1. “Nerf-style” weapons:
         1. At NO time is ammo allowed, on person, in weapon, or in the magazine of such weapons (except during Convention-hosted/programmed Nerf Game events and only within the designated space for such programmed event).
         2. Empty magazines are NOT allowed to be carried in the weapon but are allowed on the belt or in a pouch for costume purposes (again: NO ammo allowed).
      2. Bows (again, crossbows are NOT allowed):
         1. Arrows must be proven to be secured in such a manner as to be unable to be removed from their container and be secured by Peacebonding the same as all other weapons.
   3. Any obvious appearing toy “side arms” such as disruptors, phasers, laser tag pistols/rifles, sonic screwdrivers, laser pointers, or any other item that can project/emit light or sound shall be peacebonded; and shall remain in an appropriate holster at all times or held in an appropriate manner. Exemptions must be authorized by qualified Security personnel.
7. Special consideration may be granted by the Convention Services Executive or a select designee of said Executive to merchants or dealers who display or show for the purpose of sale. Any weapons removed from the Dealers’ Room will fall under the above guidelines.
8. No weapons (real or replica) are allowed in the hotel’s public lounges and restaurants.
9. This policy complies with hotel policy and local, state, and federal laws.
10. THERE WILL BE NO APPEAL TO ANY VIOLATION OF THESE RULES.
11. This policy supersedes all previous versions.