Weapons Policy

If it's illegal outside the convention, it's illegal inside the convention

All props and articles resembling a weapon (henceforth referred to as “weapons”) must be examined and approved by the Otakuthon Weapons Master prior to entering the convention proper. Weapons which pass inspection will be labeled and/or peace bonded the weapons.

The following types of props and weapons are NOT permitted and will be confiscated:

Projectile weapons of any sort, including but not limited to guns, bows, bolas, shuriken, sling shots, water pistols, and Nerf items, regardless of if they can fire projectiles.
Firearms (fake firearms are allowed if they are perceivably fake from a distance of 30 ft).
“Live” metal of any type, regardless whether it is blunt or edged, and whether it is sheathed, wrapped or covered.
Tazers, brass knuckles, knight sticks, nunchucks, pepper spray, or other items that qualify you as armed under the Criminal Code of Canada.
Explosives or chemicals of any kind including, but not limited to, smoke powder, stink bombs, sparklers, and fireworks.
Any prop weighing more than 50 pounds (22 kg) or longer than 10 ft (3 m).
Any other article deemed as disallowed or unsafe by the Weapons Master.

Any weapons confiscated by the convention staff will be stored at the Weapons Check area and can be picked up when you leave the convention. If your weapon is classified as disallowed but deemed permitted for use during the masquerade, the masquerade staff will be responsible for bringing your weapon, supervising the weapon before and after your stage appearance, and returning your weapon to the Weapons Check area.

Behavior with Weapons

It is expected that you will act responsibly with your weapon and be in control of it at all times. Misuse of any weapon or prop, such as swinging it in a public area, using it to threaten, harass or cause hazards, will result in the weapon or prop being deemed unsafe for the convention. Otakuthon and the convention facilities will not be held responsible for damages caused by an attendee’s prop weapon. Participants found to be causing damage to the convention facility, convention property, or inflicting injuries on others will result in ban from the current and future editions of the convention as well as civil and/or criminal liability.

Permitted Weapons

Any replicas made out of papier-mâché, cardboard, or equivalent are acceptable as long as staff and volunteers can distinguish them as such. Blunt wooden weapons (e.g. staves, bokens, clubs, warhammers) are permitted.

Weapons which are permitted will be peacebonded. Peacebonding involves putting a bright plastic tie on your "weapon" to show it has been judged relatively harmless and/or is being bound into a holder of some sort that renders it so. These ties can only be removed by cutting them, making it obvious if tampering should occur.

Masquerade Weapons Policy

The masquerade team may impose additional rules on how you are expected to behave with your weapon while you are on stage and also before and after the masquerade while the masquerade team is responsible for your weapon.

If you have any questions, please contact the Otakuthon Weapons Master (weapons@otakuthon.com). While the Weapons Master may offer advice on which weapons are appropriate, we reserve the right to reclassify any weapons regardless of any information given prior to the convention.

Otakuthon reserves the right to confiscate any weapons for the duration of the convention or to escort you outside the convention area and forbid you to return with the weapon. Aggravated or repeated failure to obey the above policy may result in expulsion from the convention without refund.