Weapons and Large Props Rules and Regulations

Please keep in mind that Anime Ottawa is a family-oriented show, and the rules regarding weapons are designed to keep everyone safe.

Anime Ottawa is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all persons attending the convention. Any item that Anime Ottawa believes may be a weapon must be immediately taken to Weapons Check for examination. Weapons that Anime Ottawa determines are admissible will be marked with an identifying tag and may be brought into the convention. Any weapon that Anime Ottawa considers to be inadmissible must be stored at Weapons Check or immediately removed from the convention. Any prohibited (illegal) weapon must be removed from the convention. The decision of the Weapons Master, or their designate, is final and will be strictly enforced to ensure a safe environment for all attendees.

Failure to respect any of the weapon rules may result in any or all of the following:

– Confiscation of weapon or item, without return;

– Loss of admission to the show without refund;

– The involvement of law enforcement agencies; and/or

– Other actions deemed appropriate by Anime Ottawa.

DEFINITIONS

Weapon is defined as any item or object that the Criminal Code, the Comiccon Weapons Master, or their designate, considers to be a weapon.

Weapons Master is the representative of Anime Ottawa who implements and enforces the Anime Ottawa Weapons Policy- either directly or via designated staff. The decision of the Weapons Master, or their designate, is final.

Prohibited and/or illegal Weapons is a prohibited weapon is one that the convention does not allow on its grounds. An illegal weapon is one that is not allowed to be possessed, displayed, or sold in Canada. These prohibited and/or illegal weapons are banned from Anime Ottawa and must be immediately removed from the convention centre. Anime Ottawa reserves the right to notify law enforcement agencies.

Inadmissible Weapon is a non-prohibited (i.e. legal) weapon that has been examined by the Weapons Master, or their designate, and is not permitted to be brought into the convention. A legal weapon may still be considered an inadmissible weapon at Anime Ottawa (e.g. a metal sword). The weapons must be stored at Weapons Check or immediately removed from the convention. Some weapons sold by Exhibitors are inadmissible and are subject to the procedures in the Special Circumstances section below.

Admissible Weapon is a weapon that has been examined by the Weapons Master, or their designate, and is permitted to be brought into the convention. A small identifying tag will be affixed to the weapon to identify it as admissible.

Weapons Check is the area, or areas, at Anime Ottawa where all items that may be considered weapons are inspected by Anime Ottawa and determined to be either prohibited, inadmissible, or admissible.

Examples of Prohibited and/or Illegal Weapons

If it is illegal outside the convention, it is illegal inside the convention– and therefore banned from Anime Ottawa. Examples include (but are not limited to):

– Firearms of any kind;

– Bali-song (“butterfly knife”) or switchblade/drop blade style knives, and all similar items, including butterfly combs;

– Brass knuckles or knives/blades attached to brass knuckles;

– Spiked wristbands;

– Morning Stars or flails;

– Concealed knives or blades in normally innocuous items that are less than 30 cm in length;

– Hand crossbows;

– Nunchucks, tonfas, shurikens, or similarly prohibited martial arts weapons and,

– Law enforcement items such as batons, Tasers, or mace.

– Arrows, bolts, and other projectiles used in bows, crossbows, or slingshots are inadmissible;

– Slings.

Click on this links below to review the Canada Border Services Agency’s and Justice Canada’s information regarding prohibited weapons:

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d19/d19-13-2-eng.html

http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-98-462/FullText.html

Note: Although some types of cane swords, umbrella swords, and similar items may not be prohibited in Canada, ALL such items are banned from display, sale, or possession at Anime Ottawa.

Examples of Weapons | Inadmissible and admissible

Anime Ottawa reserves the right to determine the admissibility of any item or weapon, on a case-by-case basis.

Inadmissible Projectile Weapons

– Working Airsoft/Tagball/Paintball pistols, rifles or other similar devices:

• Admissible if all mechanism inside are pulled out and left home. They cannot be in working state. Not having the gas container or projectiles isn’t enough, but is also mandatory;
• Please note that we will put a zip-tie around the trigger so that it can’t be used.

– Pellet guns, BB guns, or similar devices;

• None, never, no matter what you did with it.

– Flintlock or muzzle loading weapons or similar devices (which are not considered “firearms” under the law):

• Admissible if completely unusable (filled with glue, no hole in the muzzle, no mechanism, unworking replica, etc.);

• Decommissioned firearms of any kind;

– Replica firearms and close imitations that can fire:

• Admissible as long as they cannot fire (e.g. a musket that does not have the proper firing chamber, or a pistol that does not have a bored barrel);

• Any prop, item or weapon that is capable of firing any projectile or powder charge of any kind.

Admissible Projectile Weapons, under certain conditions

– Nerf guns and other foam dart guns are admissible, but they must not have any foam darts loaded at any time:

• Please note that we will put a zip-tie around the trigger so that it can’t be used;

– Water guns:

• Please note that you can’t shoot any liquid in the convention. The barrel has to be empty, and we will put a zip-tie around the trigger so that it can’t be used;

– Bows, crossbows (but not hand crossbows- they are Illegal Weapons), and slingshots are admissible but only if they are de-strung or strung with light string, yarn, or a similar material and cannot fire a projectile; and,

– Arrows, bolts, and other projectiles used in bows, crossbows, or slingshots are only admissible if they are made of foam or cardboard.

Inadmissible Swords, Blades, Knives and other Melee Weapons

– Hard plastic replica weapons made from polypropylene or similar items;

– Cane swords, umbrella swords, or similar items;

– Metal swords, metal knives and other active martial arts weapons;

– Metal weapons purchased at the convention are subject to the policy direction in the Special Circumstances section below;

– Metal chains or other similar items;

-Blunt weapons (made of heavy wood, hard plastic, or metal) such as baseball bats, cricket bats, and hockey sticks;

– All of this section (Inadmissible Swords, Blades, Knives and other Melee Weapons) is admissible if the item is made of a light wood, or light plastic, or foam, and if it has blunt edges and blunt points.

Admissible Swords, Blades, Knives and other Melee Weapons under certain conditions

– Canes and umbrellas are admissible as long as they are made of light wood, plastic or light metal such as aluminium, and without any sharp edge or point:

• Please note that if you use a cane in real life, you are allowed to use that cane in the convention;

– Light Bokkens (practice sword made of light wood);

– LARP sword, axe, and etc., made of foam or latex.

Shields and Armour

– Wooden, plastic, and metal shields are admissible if they do not contain sharp edges nor any sort of sharp spikes or other protrusions:

– Armours are admissible if they do not contain sharp edges nor any sort of sharp spikes or other protrusions.

Light Sabers

– Light Sabers are permitted if their blade/bulb is not made of glass, and if they don’t have a metal claw on their handle.

Miscellaneous

– Sonic Screwdrivers (Doctor Who) are admissible as long as they aren’t fully in metal, and they have no sharp edges or point;

– Magic Wands are allowed as long as they are in plastic, foam or light wood or light metal such as aluminium;

– Household items (wrench, spatula, frying pan, etc) are admissible as long as they are in plastic, foam, or light wood or light metal such as aluminium;

– Real electric tools (drills, etc.) must be render unusable (no battery, no cord);

– Selfie Sticks are not allowed inside the convention.

Wheeled/Tracked/Jumping Devices

– Skateboards, rollerblades, roller skates, unicycles, bicycles, hoverboards, scooters and similar devices.

– Pogo sticks, spring shoes, jumping shoes, kangaroo shoes, and similar devices.

Prop Weight, Shape and Material Restrictions

– Any items with sharp points, sharp edges, excessive weight or any other features that are deemed dangerous to others by the Anime Ottawa are inadmissible.

– There is no set weight limit for items, but Anime Ottawa reserves the right to prohibit heavy items on a case-by-case basis.

Lasers

– Anime Ottawa prohibits all laser pointers in the convention. If a prop or weapon includes a laser pointer, it must be rendered non-functioning (e.g. batteries must be removed).

TL:DR

– Nothing illegal;

– Nothing in metal;

– Nothing that can actually shoot;

– Nothing with sharp edges;

– Nothing with sharp points;

– Nothing too heavy;

– Nothing on which you will roll;

– No selfie sticks;

– If you are still unsure, send us an email with a lot of details and pictures, if needed, and we’ll help you as best as we can.

Restricted items

Note that the following weapons and/or items can be sold at the event but cannot be displayed during the event. It is recommended that if you wish to sell these items that you make a pamphlet with images of the items for customers to see what items you have in stock.

• Butterfly combs or similar
• Butterfly bottle openers

Procedures

1. Anime Ottawa reserves the right to require that any item entering the convention, or which is found to be anywhere within the convention, be made available at any time for examination by Anime Ottawa staff to determine the item’s admissibility status. Noncompliance may result in expulsion without refund from the event.

2. Any item that Anime Ottawa determines may be a weapon must be immediately taken to Weapons Check for examination (or examined on the convention floor by the Weapons Master, or their designate, if they are circulating around the event). Weapons that already have a tag may be re-sent to Weapons Check to validate the tag. Anime Ottawa staff may escort the weapon to Weapons Check.

3. The Anime Ottawa Weapons Master, or their designate, will examine the weapon to determine its admissibility.

4. Admissible weapons will have a small identifying tag affixed to the weapon- in a location determined by the Weapons Master, or their designate. The tag must remain on the weapon for the duration of the convention. Tampering, altering or removing the tag during the convention may result in the weapon being determined as inadmissible and/or the removal of the person from the convention.

5. Inadmissible weapons must be stored at Weapons Check or immediately removed from the convention.

6. Prohibited weapons must be immediately removed from the convention centre. They cannot be stored at Weapons Check. Anime Ottawa reserves the right to notify law enforcement agencies.

7. Illegal weapons may be reported to law enforcement agencies if seen.
8. Any inappropriate behaviour with a weapon, which puts the safety of any person or property at risk, will not be tolerated. This includes horseplay, mock fighting, or other activities deemed inappropriate by Comiccon.
9. Refer to the Special Circumstances section below for the procedures related to Inadmissible Weapons that are displayed, offered for sale, and purchased at the convention.
10. Inadmissible Weapons stored at Weapons Check will be returned to individuals as they are leaving the convention.
11. Failure to respect these requirements may result in the weapon being confiscated without return.
12. It is the individual’s responsibility to pick up their checked weapons as they exit the convention. Any props or weapons left with the Weapons Master beyond the closing of Weapons Check on Sunday become the property of Anime Ottawa.

Weapons Check schedule is as follow:

Friday: Opens 1 h 30 before VIP’s entrance

Closes 30 minutes after the Dealer’s room

Saturday: Opens 1 h 30 before VIP’s entrance

Closes 30 minutes after the end of programming

Sunday: Opens 1 h 30 before VIP’s entrance

Closes 30 minutes after the end of programming

Special Circumstances

Inadmissible Weapons Purchased from Exhibitors

Inadmissible weapons on display and/or being sold by Exhibitors must be safely secured to the display surface if they are within reach of attendees (i.e. attendees must not be able to pick up the weapons). As part of normal shopping behaviour, attendees are permitted to handle inadmissible weapons- but must remain under the direct supervision of the Exhibitor.

Exhibitors may only display (including under the counter displays and items stored out of sight) or sell weapons or any other items that are permitted to be sold by all applicable provincial and federal laws and regulations (i.e. they are not prohibited) and only to persons who are legally entitled to purchase and/or possess the weapon or item.

The display or sale of prohibited (illegal) weapons or items may result in an Exhibitor being removed from the convention and/or other actions deemed appropriate by Anime Ottawa.

Demonstrations

For safety reasons, Exhibitors must not conduct demonstrations of inadmissible weapons or other items in the aisles or other similar areas. Such demonstrations should be conducted behind the counter, table or within the allotted booth space, and must be supervised by the Exhibitor.

After the Sale

Once a weapon has been sold, it must be securely wrapped in thick paper or cardboard and cannot be taken out of such packaging at the convention. Exhibitors must remind the attendees buying weapons that if they are found opening the packaging on the convention hall floor, the weapon in question will be confiscated. It is the Exhibitor’s responsibility to inform attendees of the requirement to keep their purchased weapons securely wrapped while at the convention.

Admissible Weapons Purchased from Exhibitors

The Exhibitor must inform the attendee purchasing the weapon to bring said weapon or item to the Weapons Check at the entrance and have it tagged as an admissible weapon. Exhibitors are required to explain to attendees that if the weapon is not tagged, they may be confiscated.

If an Exhibitor wants to arrange for mock battles to show off their LARP weapons during convention hours anywhere on the convention site, they must have prior approval from Comiccon. Such requests should be directed to the Exhibitor Services Department.

Exhibitors are reminded that all participants in mock battles must not damage convention centre, Anime Ottawa, or other Exhibitor property and must be extremely careful not to endanger or injure bystanders.

Costume Masquerade

If attendees wish to include the use of a weapon in their Masquerade appearance, they must seek and receive approval from the Anime Ottawa Masquerade Director prior to the registration deadline. The Masquerade Director may consult with the Weapons Master when considering the approval of a weapon. Approval will be determined on a case-by-case basis, and always at the full discretion of Anime Ottawa.

Autograph Signing

Attendees who wish to have an inadmissible weapon signed by a Guest must immediately report to Weapons Check when they enter the convention, and leave the weapon at Weapons Check. The Weapons Master coordinator will get in touch with the proper Guest Liaison, to verify that the Guest accepts to sign such a weapon. If he accepts, the inadmissible weapon will be escorted by Anime Ottawa to and from the Autograph area at the designated time. After being signed, the weapon must immediately leave the convention or be stored at Weapons Check.

Contacting Anime Ottawa about the Weapons Policy

If you have any questions regarding the Weapons Policy, please contact Comiccon prior to the convention.

For any questions regarding weapons, which weapons can be sold in Canada, and what constitutes proper wrapping, please contact the Weapons Master via the contact information provided above.

While the Weapons Master may offer advice prior to the convention on which weapons are appropriate, Anime Ottawa reserves the right to determine the admissibility of any weapon at the time of the convention, regardless of any prior information provided.

Revised by:

Human Resources Department

August 2023